a16z Invests in Firemaps: Wildfire Home Hardening Marketplace

Global Wildfires and the Rise of Home Hardening

Across the globe, wildfires are currently impacting numerous countries. California, for instance, is experiencing particularly severe fire seasons, a trend observed consistently in recent years. Simultaneously, nations within the Mediterranean region, including Greece, have been engaged in extensive efforts to contain widespread and substantial blazes.

As global temperatures continue to rise, a significant number of homes – millions within the United States alone – are situated in areas with a heightened risk of wildfires. Consequently, both insurance providers and governmental bodies are increasingly urging property owners to invest in measures designed to protect their homes. This proactive approach, often referred to as “hardening,” aims to maximize a home’s survivability in the event of a fire and prevent further spread of destruction.

Introducing Firemaps: A Scalable Solution

Firemaps, a San Francisco-based company, is focused on addressing the challenge of home hardening by streamlining a traditionally complex and time-intensive process. Their core objective is to make property protection more accessible and efficient.

Founded recently, in March, Firemaps dispatches a team equipped with a drone to assess properties located in high-risk wildfire zones. Within approximately 20 minutes, a detailed, high-resolution 3D model of the property is generated, accurate to the centimeter. This model then facilitates the identification of suitable hardening options, and bids are solicited from trade contractors through the company’s online marketplace.

The company has already demonstrated early success, with hundreds of homeowners registering on its website and several dozen properties already scanned. This traction led to a $5.5 million seed funding round led by Andrew Chen of a16z, with participation from Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi and Addition’s Lee Fixel (as indicated by the Form D filing around April).

The Team Behind Firemaps

Firemaps is spearheaded by Jahan Khanna, alongside his brother – a seasoned civil engineer – and Rob Moran. Khanna previously co-founded Sidecar, an early ridesharing service, where Moran was an initial employee. The team transitioned their focus to climate-related solutions, prioritizing immediate impact. “We’ve reached critical points regarding the climate and require effective solutions,” Khanna stated, emphasizing their role as a component of a broader effort.

Initially, Khanna and his brother considered ventures like solar farms or solar-powered homes in California. However, they consistently encountered concerns about wildfire risk. “The recurring feedback was that construction in California was precarious due to the threat of wildfires,” Khanna explained. This realization prompted them to explore fire hardening, recognizing the urgent need for faster and more affordable options for millions of homeowners.

Effective Home Hardening Techniques

Numerous methods exist to enhance a home’s resistance to fire. Common strategies include establishing an ember-resistant zone around the property, often utilizing granite gravel, and ensuring that attic vents, gutters, and siding are constructed from fireproof materials capable of withstanding intense heat. The cost of these improvements can vary, though some local and state governments offer reimbursement programs to offset expenses.

Firemaps’ Business Model and Future Outlook

Firemaps operates on a straightforward model: vetted contractors pay a fee to be featured as options on the platform. Khanna believes the detailed 3D models generated by their drones will enable contractors to submit bids without conducting individual site visits. “Contractors receive projects that are ready to begin, with minimal acquisition costs,” Khanna noted.

Looking ahead, Khanna envisions the platform and the generated home models as inherently valuable assets. Currently focused on California, the company’s goal for the next year is to refine and scale its operations to handle “hundreds of homes per week,” ensuring the model’s replicability and scalability.