Internet firm backs Pupiline

A leading Suffolk-based internet business is set to invest thousands of pounds in a 16 year-old Colchester schoolboy’s website.

Ipswich-based KeConnect, an internet service provider, which hosts Oli Watts’ website, www.pupiline.net, is taking a 10 percent stake in the youngster’s recently-formed company, and is investing well over a hundred thousand pounds in the venture.

Pupiline was originally launched as an anti-bullying website, after Oli was bullied at his previous school. The youngster, who has since moved to the Gilberd School in Colchester, Essex, has now developed the website into an e-magazine for 11-17 year olds covering a wide variety of issues and features. Together with a team of young writers and programmers, Oli hopes to turn it into a successful commercial venture.

With the help of another Suffolk-based businessman, Edwin Hamilton, former new business director for British Energy, Oli has turned Pupiline into a limited company and hopes to attract backing from other individuals and companies who recognise how many young people are turning to the internet for information, entertainment and education.

KeConnect has supported Oli’s venture from the start, helping the youngster improve and develop the site over the last few months.

Robert Kemp said: "Oli is a truly remarkable young man – he has worked so hard to turn what was a very bad experience for him into something he can be truly proud of. He has a great vision and great expertise. I am delighted to invest not just in pupiline but also in Oli and his future. He deserves it. I also believe he has hit on a great idea which is to provide a website for youngsters to go and talk to one another about the things that matter to them – both serious and fun."

Oli, who has just spent three weeks doing work experience at KeConnect, added: "This is such an exciting development for pupiline and for me. Pupiline was created almost overnight but has come a long way in just a few months. KeConnect helped me at the beginning when I couldn’t have afforded to pay to have the site hosted, and I am so glad they now want to help me take the idea further."

As part of the deal, KeConnect are giving the pupiline team of writers and programmers an office where they can spend their summer holidays producing features and ideas for the site but with all the technical back up on hand.

- The Pupiline Team