Interview with Lux and Kal, Founders of iTwin

iTwin is a Singaporean based start-up that made it to the presentation stage on the TechCrunch 50 conference. The founders, Lux and Kal designed and implemented a product known as iTwin that allow plug & play remote file access. So, we catch them both here to tell us their story, the product iTwin and its features and also their next steps on the product.

Bernard Leong: Hi Lux & Kal, great to have you here on SGE and congratulations on being one of the elusive TechCrunch 50 Finalists. Tell us about your background. What did you do before setting up iTwin?
Lux & Kal: Thanks Bernard, and thanks for having us on SGE.

We work for the Institute for Infocomm Research under A*STAR (iTwin is currently a project at the institute). Lux is from the Cryptography & Security department (his focus is usable security) and I am from the Planning department.

Bernard Leong: What is the story behind why you and your team build the prototype for iTwin?
Lux & Kal: Lux wanted a simple way to safely access his personal financial data, which was stored on his PC at home. He didn’t want to use a flash drive to carry the data around as losing the drive would expose sensitive information. Remote access solutions that were available all involved installing software, creating a new login/password and configuring settings, that is, too much hassle.

What was lacking was a Remote File Access solution that was simple, as simple as using a flash drive. That was the motive behind iTwin. Then, during a discussion, Lux came up with the idea of splitting the device into two parts in order to seamlessly handle the security issues. And that led to iTwin.

Bernard Leong: iTwin is created from an A-STAR Institute, what does it do and how does it work?
Lux & Kal: iTwin consists of two identical parts called Twins. Plug one Twin into a PC (a folder pops up), share your files/folders/entire HDD, carry the other Twin with you, plug into any other PC (a folder pops up) and you can then remotely access the shared files/folders.

That’s all there is to it. Plug and play.

Bernard Leong: What are the interesting features on iTwin that you like our users to know about?
Lux & Kal: You can also share files/folders on the second PC and then access them from the first PC. That is, iTwin works bi-directionally.

I am currently using a prototype, where one Twin is plugged in at home and the other is at work. So, when I am at home, I can access all my work-data. And, when I am at work, I can access my entire music collection stored on my home PC. Very convenient.

Also, you can change which files are shared and the changes are seen on the other side in real time. So, if you pass the other Twin to your friend/girlfriend/mom, it becomes a very simple way to share files back and forth.

Photo (from iTwin Site): An explanation on the concept of iTwin done by the creators of the product

Bernard Leong: How does it compare to others methods of files transfer like via firewire cable and USB cables?
Lux & Kal: iTwin works between any two PCs that are connected to the Internet. So, one is not limited by distance. Think of it as a cable connecting the two PCs but without the physical constraints of an actual cable.

Bernard Leong: What are the next steps for iTwin – to commercialize as a full start-up or spinning off the technology for licensing?
Lux & Kal: We intend to spin off and take iTwin to market. So, we are currently looking for venture funding.

Bernard Leong: How does iTwin benefit from the experience in TechCrunch 50? What do you learn from the whole event? Any interesting story to tell?
Lux & Kal: The best part of being at TC50 was seeing the positive response to the product idea from some of the technology elite at Silicon Valley. We also appreciate the enthusiasm shown & feedback provided by many members of the public after they saw/read about iTwin at TC50. Of course, there were also criticisms and those help too.

For me, one memory stands out: The pitch-rehearsals were at Sequoia Capital. I arrived early and sat down at the reception to wait. Looking around, I noticed a huge number of framed documents on the walls and walked up to take a look. They were IPO documents/certificates…

There were so many that two walls were covered. Pretty cool.

Bernard Leong: Thanks for the interview. Good luck with your venture on the road ahead.

You can check out their pitch in TechCrunch here on this video:

Check out the other Singapore companies at TechCrunch50 2009.

Related Links:
[1] TechCrunch, TC50: iTwin Remotely Connects Two Computers Via USB Drives
[2] E27, iTwin shares their experience.

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