The chief technology officer at One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) has left the project to found a company aimed at profiting from technology she developed while working for OLPC.

Mary Lou Jepsen was the OLPC project's first employee and has played a key role in bringing the power-saving notebook from concept to reality.

Jepsen was primarily responsible for designing the display for the low-cost laptop, which had struggled to find customers during her two-year stint. She also built the device's power management systems.

Although she has officially left OLPC, Jepsen will continue to be employed on a consultancy basis.

The move can be seen as the end of the first stage of OLPC development. With the completed laptop not shipping Jepsen's role would have involved more development than creation.