Elin, a high‑school student in a Stockholm suburb, watched her grandmother struggle with modern technology. Large buttons, confusing menus, and constant help from family. She realised a simple app tailored to older users could make life easier. She had the idea and the drive, but lacked the infrastructure and expert guidance to build it.
An idea waiting for support
Elin had learned basic programming from online courses. Her app was meant to have only five large icons — video call, message, pharmacy, shopping, and family chat. No complicated settings, no ads. She showed the design to her computer science teacher. He told her, “This makes sense. But you can’t do it alone. You need a designer, testers and someone to ensure data security.”
Elin didn’t know where to turn. She emailed several companies, but most didn’t reply. One small Stockholm software firm read her message with attention.
A company that bet on a student
The company was called Kodar AB — ten employees, focused on healthcare apps. The owner, Anders, said, “The idea isn’t revolutionary. But Elin’s determination and the way she thinks about users others overlook — that caught our interest.” They offered her: “You can come here every Tuesday and Thursday after school. You’ll get your own computer, access to developer tools and a mentor. You won’t pay anything. We invest time, you invest energy.”
Elin accepted. For the first month she simply observed how professionals write code. Then she began programming under supervision. Her mentor helped her avoid common beginner mistakes.
From prototype to reality
After six months Elin had a working beta. The company arranged testing with a group of seniors at a local care home. The feedback was clear — the app was truly simple, but it lacked voice control. Elin moved into a new development cycle. After a year the app was ready for release.
Kodar AB did not rush her. They didn’t want a fast commercial product; they wanted Elin to complete the project as its independent creator. In the end they agreed the app would remain free for all users aged 65 and over. The company covers operating costs from its own budget as a long‑term sponsorship commitment.
“Anders didn’t pay for my schooling or demand a share of the app. He gave me space, time and trust. I gave him a working tool that today is used by over two thousand seniors. To me, that’s real partnership.”
Elin today, university student and developer
What followed
Today Elin is studying computer science at the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm (KTH). Kodar AB still provides her with a scholarship and she occasionally freelances for them. Their collaboration has become an example to other firms — supporting young talent doesn’t have to be just about money. Providing resources and professional guidance can make a lasting difference.
Author: Sponza editorial team
Photographs: (illustrative – girl at a computer and a senior with a phone)
