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EdTech in the Spotlight: SquareOne Empowers Financial Literacy for Kiwi Kids
Financial literacy has long been a challenge in New Zealand, with most children learning about money from their parents rather than through their school or bank. Recognising this gap, EdTechNZ member SquareOne has developed an innovative platform that’s transforming how Kiwi kids learn essential money skills.
SquareOne provides children with practical financial literacy through real-world experience, allowing them to earn, save, and spend with controlled independence while parents maintain oversight. The platform has already attracted over 200,000 parents and children who are building lifelong financial habits through hands-on learning rather than theoretical concepts alone.
“Kiwis are not good at talking openly about money, which has led to generational under-performing of financial empowerment,” explains SquareOne Co-founder Jamie Jermain. “We’re offering a better path to financial literacy for Kiwi kids, giving them real-world money skills that matter.”
Recently, SquareOne partnered with radio personalities Jono and Ben from The Hits to launch “Dragons Ben,” an entrepreneurship competition designed to inspire young Kiwi innovators. Winner, Ruby-Grace, created “FIX,” a card game helping children with dyslexia and literacy challenges. What began as her personal project has evolved into a movement creating innovative resources for students facing literacy difficulties. Building on this success, SquareOne is preparing to launch a second round of the competition.
In exciting product news, SquareOne has introduced EFTPOS functionality to their cards, eliminating the frustration of “Sorry, we don’t take Credit” situations at local dairies and removing annoying surcharges on everyday purchases. This development challenges the traditional banking monopoly on fee-free EFTPOS for children while maintaining the platform’s core benefits: parental control paired with children’s freedom to develop smarter spending habits.
The company has also launched a humorous but thought-provoking marketing campaign highlighting the potential consequences of failing to teach children money management skills. The campaign playfully warns parents about the risk of raising “full-blown mooching man-children” if kids don’t develop financial independence early.
“Without hands-on experience, they don’t learn the skills essential to let them stand on their own two feet,” says Jamie, emphasising their mission to prepare the next generation for financial confidence and independence.
Through their innovative approach to financial education, SquareOne continues to make significant contributions to improving financial literacy among New Zealand’s youth, addressing a critical skill gap in a practical, engaging way.
