In her childhood, Cielo Rosas-Ocampo faced challenges navigating the digital world. She encountered dangers and made mistakes that could have been avoided with the right guidance. Those difficult experiences fueled her vision for CyberBuddy, an AI-powered platform designed to teach children and teens safe digital habits.
As an Eastern Michigan University marketing student and Co-President of the American Marketing Association, Cielo had the vision and expertise to recognize a critical gap in online safety. Transforming that awareness into a viable technology startup, however, would require turning to resources specifically designed to help entrepreneurs navigate the complex journey from idea to launch.
The Problem: Internet Dangers
Cielo recognized that traditional approaches to online safety education often fall short. Children and teenagers spend more time online than ever before, and while the internet offers incredible opportunities for learning and connection, it also presents unique challenges and risks that parents and educators struggle to address.
Parents find themselves navigating what amounts to a black box, struggling to understand what’s actually happening in their children’s digital lives. Most parental control apps simply restrict access or limit screen time without differentiating between beneficial and harmful online activities. This restriction-only approach misses the fundamental need to educate young people about navigating digital spaces safely and responsibly.
A Different Approach
Instead of simply locking down access, CyberBuddy’s platform educates and empowers families to understand and manage online activities responsibly. The focus centers on proactive safety, fostering responsible digital behavior, and ensuring experiences remain age-appropriate. Cyberbuddy adjusts as children grow.
The platform uses AI technology to provide personalized, interactive safety education that adapts to each user’s needs and learning style. CyberBuddy delivers engaging lessons that feel more like games than lectures, offers AI-powered recommendations based on individual usage patterns, provides real-time guidance when users encounter potentially risky situations, and tailors content to be age-appropriate for different developmental stages.
Cielo and the Cyberbuddy team shaped their mission with emphasis on education and responsibility: “We believe that with the right tools and guidance, young people can harness the full potential of technology while staying protected from its risks.”
Getting the Right Support
Having a vision for solving a critical problem is one thing. Building a viable technology company around that vision is another. Through Small Business Support from Ann Arbor SPARK’s network, specifically the Michigan Small Business Development Center, Cielo gained access to the expertise she needed: no-cost one-on-one business consulting, customer discovery guidance, business plan development support, market research assistance, and technology commercialization expertise.
Through the network of support she received from the Business Coaching Program led by Millie Chu, with coaching delivered by T.Rose Malone through the Michigan SBDC and Small Business Support program provided by Ann Arbor SPARK, Cielo gained access to the expertise she needed. She used the programs’ no-cost one-on-one business consulting, customer discovery guidance, business plan development support, market research assistance, and technology commercialization expertise. With all this expert support, Cielo developed a strategy to expand Cyberbuddy’s impact.
Putting It to the Test
Cielo began actively pitching CyberBuddy across Michigan’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. These pitch competitions and demo days serve as critical milestones for early-stage startups, offering visibility, feedback from experienced entrepreneurs and investors, and opportunities to refine messaging and business models.
At Bamboo Detroit, she won the People’s Choice Award. Reflecting on the experience, she wrote: “I was a little shy at first. Winning the People’s Choice Award reminded me why showing up matters.”
She described Michigan Tech Week as having “everything…nerves, excitement, and a huge sense of accomplishment.” The annual event brings together Michigan’s tech community, showcasing innovation happening across the state and connecting founders with resources and networks.
At The 100 Demo Day at Start Garden, she connected with entrepreneurs, investors, and mentors despite what she called “the nerve-wracking drive.” Start Garden, based in Grand Rapids, provides funding and support to Michigan startups through its competitive pitch program.
Her first out-of-state pitch came at SXSW in Austin with Midwest House: “This was my first time pitching outside my home state.” she wrote. This opportunity to pitch at one of the world’s premier innovation conferences marked a significant milestone for the young company.
CyberBuddy has been featured at Eastern Michigan University entrepreneurship events, Michigan Tech Week, TechTown Detroit, and Maximize HQ, building credibility and connections throughout Southeast Michigan’s innovation community.
Building For Maximum Impact
As young people spend increasing time in digital spaces, the need for education over restriction becomes more critical. CyberBuddy’s mission addresses this reality head-on: Making the digital world a safer, smarter place for every child by teaching responsible habits rather than simply blocking access.
CyberBuddy continues developing its roadmap, which includes product development milestones, feature release timeline, platform expansion plans, partnership opportunities, enhanced safety features, and educational content updates. Each milestone moves closer to a future where families have the tools and knowledge to navigate the online world together.
Cielo’s story shows what happens when a compelling vision meets the right guidance, access, and resources. Small Business Support from Ann Arbor SPARK’s network and the Michigan SBDC exist precisely for this purpose: To help entrepreneurs transform ideas into viable businesses that create real impact.
About Small Business Support
Small Business Support from Ann Arbor SPARK provides no-cost coaching, mentorship, workshops, and resources to help entrepreneurs in Livingston, Monroe, and Washtenaw Counties start and grow their businesses. Through a collaborative network of Business Support Partners, we offer expert guidance, technical assistance, and tools designed to strengthen local entrepreneurship, fuel innovation, and build long-term business success.
