RapidSOS

RapidSOS is an intelligent safety platform that securely links data to 9-1-1 and first responders.[1] It connects more than 500 million devices directly to 15,000+ first responder agencies.[2]

RapidSOS
TypeStartup Company
IndustryPublic Safety, Software
Founded2012 (2012)
FoundersMichael Martin and Nicholas Horelik
HeadquartersNew York, United States
Products
  • RapidSOS Clearinghouse
  • RapidSOS Portal
  • RapidSOS Emergency API Suite
Websitewww.rapidsos.com

Founded in 2012 by Michael Martin and Nicholas Horelik, RapidSOS pairs with IoT companies to improve caller data accuracy in 9-1-1 centers.[3] RapidSOS’ first product was the Haven mobile application. Since its foundation, the company has sent emergency data to 9-1-1 telecommunicators without users needing to use an app.

The company has introduced product offerings such as RapidSOS Connect, RapidSOS Portal, and RapidSOS Integrations. RapidSOS has working relations with companies like Apple,[4] Axon,[5] Uber,[6] Google,[7] Cove, Simplisafe,[8] Sirius XM[9] and MedicAlert to facilitate emergency response.[1]

History

RapidSOS was founded in 2012 by Michael Martin and Nicholas Horelik to address the 911 data challenge.[10][11] Martin had a personal experience with 9-1-1 connection difficulties when his father fell off of the roof of his home in Rockport, Indiana, breaking his wrist and shattering his hip. Martin's father could not reach 9-1-1 from his cellphone and was laying outside in freezing temperatures until his wife came home and called 9-1-1 from their landline.[12][13] Also , Martin cites an experience he had after first moving to New York City, when he was followed closely by a man who had intentions to rob him. In wanting to call 9-1-1, he states that he "realized just how difficult it is in the middle of whatever your emergency is to get out your phone, dial a number, and have a coherent conversation about who you are, where you’re located, and what’s occurring."[12]

RapidSOS’ first product was the smartphone app Haven.[12][14][15][16][17][18] The app gave users the ability to see family members' real-time locations, "check in" to send their location to their loved ones, and call 9-1-1 on behalf of someone else, sending that person's location and personal information to the dispatch center closest to them.[19][20]

From 2012 to 2015, RapidSOS studied the data from over 12 million 911 calls. From 2016 to 2017, RapidSOS began testing its platform with location data, working with Emergency Communication Centers (ECCs) across the country. In 2018, RapidSOS worked with Apple to allow U.S. iPhone users who call 911 to automatically and securely share their location data with first responders through the RapidSOS Platform. By the end of the year, RapidSOS partnered with Google to send Android ELS data through the RapidSOS Platform as well.

In March 2023, American online and mobile prepared food ordering and delivery platform Grubhub announced a partnership with RapidSOS. Grubhub announced that the partnership will improve the safety of its drivers via sharing dynamic location data as well as caller ID directly to 911 responders when an emergency call is placed via the Grubhub for Divers app.[21]

RapidSOS sends information from IoT devices and apps to public safety during emergencies.

  • RapidSOS Connect is an easy to integrate emergency API for faster, more effective emergency response.
  • RapidSOS Portal is a free solution that provides critical and vetted data to 911 telecommunicators from 350M+ connected devices, including real-time location, caller profile, vehicle crash data, and more to support their life-saving work.
  • RapidSOS Integrations is a service that allows GovTech and public safety software partners to integrate life-saving data from the RapidSOS Platform with their software.

Recognition

Funding

In November 2018, RapidSOS announced a $30 million Series B funding round, led by Playground Global.[2]

In October 2019, RapidSOS closed their Series B Funding round of $55 million, led by Energy Impact Partners.[1]

In February 2021, RapidSOS closed their Series C funding round of $85 million, led by Insight Partners.[24]

References
  1. "RapidSOS raises $25 million more to furnish first responders with emergency data". VentureBeat. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
  2. "RapidSOS, an emergency response data provider, raises $30M as it grows from 10K users to 250M". TechCrunch. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
  3. "How a startup is quietly transforming our antiquated 911 system". CBS News. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
  4. "Apple's iOS 12 securely and automatically shares emergency location with 911". Apple Newsroom. Retrieved 2021-09-24.
  5. "RapidSOS and Axon ink deal to give better real-time information to emergency responders". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2021-09-24.
  6. "Uber's Emergency Button". Uber Newsroom. 2019-03-14. Retrieved 2021-09-24.
  7. Deahl, Dani (2018-09-19). "Android phones in the US will now automatically share your location during 911 calls". The Verge. Retrieved 2021-09-24.
  8. Priest, David. "Can sharing home security data cut 911 response times? SimpliSafe and RapidSOS think so". CNET. Retrieved 2021-09-24.
  9. "Sirius XM, RapidSOS Partner to Send Car Crash Data to 911". www.govtech.com. Retrieved 2020-09-02.
  10. Rob, Matheson. "Finding 911 callers instantly". MIT News. Retrieved 11 July 2016.
  11. Lacina, Linda (28 March 2016). "Michael Martin of RapidSOS: Together We Go Further". Entrepreneur.com. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  12. Rifkin, Glenn (30 September 2015). "A Lifesaving Smartphone App Inspired by a Brush With Tragedy". The New York Times.
  13. Hansman, Heather. "A Harvard Student's App Could Bring 911 Into the Future". Smithsonian. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  14. Walker, Lauren (3 April 2015). "Clock Begins Ticking for 911 System Improvements". Newsweek. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  15. "Swipe to save a life: New app aims to make 911 calls quicker". Fox News. 3 April 2015.
  16. Knutson, Ryan (25 April 2017). "Startup Seeks to Solve 911's Biggest Riddle: Pinpointing Cellphone Callers". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 4 June 2017.
  17. Polansky, Rachel. "NBC2 Investigators: Can new technology fix 911's fatal flaw?". WBBH-TV. Retrieved 13 May 2017.
  18. Chávez, Karen. "Mobile app could save lost hikers and others' lives". Citizen Times. Retrieved 4 June 2017.
  19. Flynn, Kerry (29 June 2016). "RapidSOS' Haven App Wants To Connect You To 911 With One Click On Your Smartphone". International Business Times.
  20. Crichton, Danny (3 June 2015). "When Seconds Count, RapidSOS Will Be Ready When 911 Isn't". TechCrunch. Retrieved 13 May 2017.
  21. Bursztynsky, Jessica (19 January 2023). "Grubhub just rolled out new emergency safety features for gig workers with RapidSOS". fastcompany.com. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  22. "USTAR announces winners of 21st Century Communities Challenge". Deseret News. 11 February 2017. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  23. "Skip West, Valencell and RapidSOS Honored with CTA's 2016 Innovation Entrepreneur Awards". Consumer Technology Association. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  24. "RapidSOS raises $85M for a big data platform aimed at emergency responders". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2021-09-24.
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