Summary:
Hyper raises $6.3M to automate non-emergency 911 calls
Founded by Ben Sanders and Damian McCabe, the startup aims to reduce wait times for emergency services
AI technology can handle non-emergency reports and escalate urgent calls to humans
Funding led by Eniac Ventures will help scale the technology nationwide
Hyper's focus on real 911 call training and multi-language support sets it apart from competitors
Hyper, an innovative AI voice company, has successfully raised $6.3 million in a seed funding round led by Eniac Ventures, marking its official emergence from stealth mode. The startup aims to automate non-emergency 911 calls, freeing up human operators to focus on life-threatening situations.
The Vision Behind Hyper
Founder Ben Sanders was inspired by a news article about his hometown's efforts to reduce emergency service wait times using AI. With a background in AI voice technology for drive-through restaurants, Sanders saw an opportunity to innovate in the emergency response space. He partnered with Damian McCabe to launch Hyper, focusing on handling non-emergency calls that currently clog the 911 system.
How Hyper Works
Hyper's AI can answer questions, text links, forward calls, and even take non-emergency police reports. If a call seems urgent, the system automatically escalates it to a human operator. This technology is trained on real 911 calls and supports multiple languages, making it a versatile tool for emergency centers.
Funding and Future Plans
The seed round, which was oversubscribed, also included participation from Ripple Ventures, GreatPoint Ventures, and others. Hyper plans to use the funds to scale nationwide, integrate into existing 911 systems, hire a head of engineering, and develop its next product.
The Bigger Picture
With emergency call centers often understaffed, Hyper's technology could alleviate stress on operators and improve response times for critical emergencies. Sanders envisions a future where AI can support these unsung heroes, ultimately saving more lives.
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