Enabling The Next Generation’s Prosperity With Kiddie Kredit: A Conversation with Founder Evan Leaphart on Transforming Youths’ Credit Literacy

LearnLaunch Fund + Accelerator
5 min readSep 7, 2023

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Meet Evan Leaphart, the visionary driving Kiddie Kredit, in this enlightening interview. Discover how Kiddie Kredit is revolutionizing youth financial literacy under Evan ’s leadership. With their mobile app, they’re seamlessly integrating financial education and fun, equipping kids with credit system insights from an early age. Evan’s perspectives add depth to the mission, creating a dynamic impact in the field. Get ready for insights that inspire!

What is the inspiration behind the creation of Kiddie Kredit?

The creation of Kiddie Kredit spawned out of a personal problem of mine. Picture this: I was that excited teenager who couldn’t wait to turn 18 and finally possess a credit card. However, soon after, I found myself in financial ruin, facing my poor choices. The revelation struck me: “What if I had been equipped with essential financial knowledge ahead of time?” Driven by this realization, I decided to prevent those missteps for others. This journey culminated in the creation of Kiddie Kredit — a tool that empowers children and young adults with essential financial literacy skills. This company isn’t solely about financial knowledge; it aspires to provide the upcoming generation wisdom, guiding them towards a future paved with sound choices.

What is the most unique aspect of Kiddie Kredit’s activity?

Our approach goes beyond just a mere touch on credit; it’s an immersion into the details of credit behavior. We construct a mock credit score tethered to the completion of everyday chores. Think of it as a tangible credit report, analogous to how you’d view missed payments on a traditional credit card.In essence, each chore becomes an entry in this virtual credit ledger, mirroring the significance of a payment in the world of credit. But here’s where the magic happens — the subtlety of these moments, the missed opportunity for that allowance, resonates deeply with the child, and these pivotal lessons, when learned young, are the very building blocks of financial wisdom later in life. Our vision isn’t just about creating an intellectual understanding; it’s about planting seeds of profound realizations that will blossom into financial literacy as they mature.

This is a differentiator for Kiddie Kredit. It’s our capacity to forge these “aha” instants from an early age that sets us apart from the competition. While others may offer credit-related tools, our focus on grounding these lessons in tangible, relatable experiences is what truly sets KiddieCredit in a league of its own.

What is the impact of Kiddie Kredit globally?

The incorporation of financial literacy into the assessment of risk for tangible financial products is an idea that resonates deeply with me. Consider this analogy: just as a minimum SATs score is a prerequisite for admission to specific colleges, what if a tangible demonstration of credit comprehension could be a fundamental criterion?

While it might seem ambitious to instantly translate this comprehension into credit cards, loans, or mortgages, the underlying concept has immense potential. In essence, our approach aims to foster a comprehensive understanding of credit that extends beyond superficial measures. It’s about cultivating a generation that doesn’t just participate in financial transactions, but truly comprehends the implications and consequences of their actions. While this may necessitate a shift from the conventional approach, the promise lies in the potential to create a society where financial literacy is a cornerstone of decision-making, enriching the lives of individuals and the stability of the financial system as a whole.

What has been the most valuable advice that you have received from Accelerator mentors and what would you say to people who consider joining us in the future?

Something that resonates profoundly is the depth of expertise each of our venture partners brought to the picture, spanning both their core domains and those realms they may not directly engage with. This dynamic necessitates a strategic approach — being precise in our queries, extracting concise insights, and recognizing that the exchange doesn’t culminate after a single session. The Accelerator journey is not limited to a few weeks; it serves as an ignition for relationships that extend far beyond. It’s about embracing the unique opportunity to tap into a network of professionals who are adept at navigating various avenues, and sometimes, even those they don’t actively tread. By fostering these connections, we collectively engage in a journey that isn’t just transformative, but continually evolving

To those considering joining this path, I wholeheartedly advise you to do so. Especially if you find yourself at the early stages of your venture, just after securing some initial funding, or grappling with question
s surrounding equity and investment. Trust me when I say this program is a beacon of enriching experience

Our aspiration is monumental — to pioneer the forefront of education in tech. In pursuing this goal, surrounding ourselves with the edtech professionals is essential. The Accelerator program seamlessly bridges us to the brightest minds in the education landscape, propelling us toward our vision.

Your story of being a Black founder in edtech is inspiring and motivational. What advice would you give to other people of color who want to start their own company?

There is an unspoken responsibility for any person of color, if you are building something of impact, and you are knocking out the doors that have not been traditionally open for people like us, to leave that door open for those people of color who follow, ensuring that the pathways you tread remain accessible. Consider this — when I began constructing wireframes for Delta, it was a monumental step. Yet, the scale of the challenge was no different from when someone with a million-dollar backing embarked on the same process. The lesson here is that challenges are relative, and regardless of where you stand, your experiences carry invaluable insights. It’s not about seeing this as an undue burden but rather embracing the additional responsibility that comes with it. It’s about upholding a legacy of increasing representation and opportunity. It is an opportunity to rewrite narratives, reconfigure perceptions, and carve a space where success knows no bounds.

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LearnLaunch Fund + Accelerator
LearnLaunch Fund + Accelerator

Written by LearnLaunch Fund + Accelerator

LearnLaunch is the leading early-stage edtech startup fund and accelerator.