The first half of the year has been a busy one for the Toronto-based startup that calls itself GK61, which aims to make “digital literacy” more accessible.
The company’s latest product, called the Smart Book, aims to give Canadians access to information on subjects like global warming and the role of government in health care, while also helping people to better understand their healthcare needs.
It’s the brainchild of CEO John Furlong and his wife, Sara, a former CBC News reporter who grew up in Alberta.
The couple is both professors in the University of Toronto’s department of journalism and media studies, and both have written extensively about Canadian health care and health technology.
They have raised $10 million from a number of angel investors, including a group led by Andreessen Horowitz and New Enterprise Associates.
Furlung has been with GK 61 for more than a year, working to build the company into a company that can serve consumers.
“We’re trying to make it as accessible as possible,” Furlongs wife said in an interview.
Faucet in the oven at the Furlings’ Toronto home, which is filled with computers and gadgets.
The Smart Book is a new product from the Faucetts.
(Karen Faucett/The Globe and Mail) GK has been working on the project since last year, when Sara and her husband were working for a Canadian broadcaster and realized the amount of research that was being done on Canadian health.
Sara Faucets’ research, which involved a team of experts from around the world, helped her to figure out how Canadians could access information on climate change and health care.
It was an area where Canadians were struggling with a lot of information, and Sara said her research helped her think about the next step in helping Canadians access information.
“It’s a challenge that we all have, to be able to understand what is really important to Canadians,” she said.
“That is really what we’re trying and trying to do.”
Sara and John Faucits.
(The Globe & Mail) As it got closer to launching the product, Sara said she noticed the need to “make it easier to access.”
She also noticed how often people needed to “get out there and make an informed decision” about what to buy.
“If we could make it easier for them to make that decision, they’re going to be much more likely to buy something,” she explained.
Fountains a digital divide While Sara Furlett said she hopes her husband can be the one to deliver the product to consumers, she also thinks his job is important.
“John has been really the bridge to our family, to our business, to the people we interact with every day,” Sara said.
Fucets has had to go through a lot to get to where he is today.
He says he has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and is now a single father.
“I’ve been on medication, I’ve had surgeries, and I’ve been going through a very difficult time,” he said.
As for his future, Sara is working on getting him back on the right medication, and says it’s been a struggle.
“He’s always been an avid reader, he’s always enjoyed reading, and he’s read every book he can get his hands on,” she recalled.
“And he loves books about history and religion.
So, I think that’s where we’ll find that he’s at his strongest.”
Fountons job is to help people with the right information.
He also hopes to help the company grow.
“When you have a big company, there are certain things that are really important,” he explained.
“The first thing we do is we have a plan, and we are really committed to being the best.
We’ve got a lot going on, we’re going through challenges.
But I really believe that our company is going to grow.
Furlans focus on the education side of things The Faucents’ passion for education is evident in everything they do. “
There’s a lot more that we’re working on, and that’s one of the things that I’m really excited about.”
Furlans focus on the education side of things The Faucents’ passion for education is evident in everything they do.
Sara said that since moving to Toronto from Alberta, they have taught students in both English and French.
“My husband loves learning,” she added.
“You see what you can learn, you learn the right things.
It really helps him to be a better citizen.”
“We are very passionate about education,” Sara added.
Sara and Founts son, Dylan, who was born in Alberta and has English as a second language.
(Katie McGowan/CBC) The Fucetts have also been helping students in other countries learn their language, such as Brazil, where Sara works as a translator for the Brazilian government.
Fuckett’s job has been to help Canadian citizens and companies gain access