AI Voice Company Hyper Raises $6.3M for 911 Automation

Hyper Launches with $6.3 Million Seed Funding to Revolutionize Emergency Response

Ben Sanders, founder of the emergency response startup Hyper, expressed that his entire career trajectory had been leading to this specific moment. The company officially unveiled its operations on Monday, alongside the announcement of a $6.3 million seed round, spearheaded by Eniac Ventures.

Early Aspirations and a Path to Innovation

Sanders’ ambition to serve in law enforcement began in childhood, evidenced by his request for his mother to add yellow stripes to his navy sweatpants. He emulated an officer’s attire for a full year, complete with a rain hat. His professional journey involved working within the tech and government sectors, and even a foray into federal politics.

The genesis of Hyper occurred approximately a year ago, sparked by a news report detailing his hometown’s exploration of AI to decrease emergency service response times. Having previously developed an AI voice solution for drive-through restaurants, Sanders recognized a potential for innovation in this field.

Addressing the Volume of Non-Emergency Calls

While Sanders acknowledged that AI wasn't yet prepared to directly handle 911 calls, he identified a significant opportunity to improve the system. He observed that a substantial portion of calls to emergency lines do not represent genuine emergencies.

Sanders collaborated with Damian McCabe to establish Hyper, an AI-powered voice company designed to manage certain 911 call types. Sanders, serving as CEO, emphasized the product’s purpose: to efficiently address non-emergency inquiries, thereby freeing up resources for critical, life-threatening situations. McCabe holds the position of CPO within the company.

The Current System and its Limitations

Currently, individuals attempting to contact their local police department often encounter a 10-digit number that directs them to the same personnel responsible for handling 911 calls.

“Consider being occupied for eight minutes discussing a neighbor’s barking dog, potentially delaying a response to a subsequent call from a five-year-old whose father has suffered a collapse,” Sanders illustrated.

Hyper’s Capabilities and Safety Protocols

Hyper is capable of answering inquiries, sending text-based links, forwarding calls, and even processing non-emergency police reports. Safety is paramount; any call deemed outside the pre-defined scope, or exhibiting even a hint of urgency, is automatically escalated to a human operator for review.

Fundraising and Future Plans

Sanders characterized the fundraising process as “intense, hectic, and rapid,” completing the round in under two months, with significant oversubscription. Investors included Ripple Ventures, GreatPoint Ventures, VSC Ventures, Tusk Venture Partners, and K5 Global, alongside the lead investor, Eniac Ventures. His connection at Eniac Ventures was established through a mutual contact.

The newly acquired capital will be allocated to expanding Hyper’s reach nationwide, enhancing integration with existing 911 infrastructure, recruiting a head of engineering, and developing the company’s next-generation product.

Competitive Landscape and Hyper’s Differentiation

While acknowledging competition from companies like Aurelian, which also focuses on sorting non-emergency calls, Sanders highlighted Hyper’s specific concentration on the 911 system as a key differentiator.

“Our models are trained using authentic 911 calls in partnership with local agencies,” he explained. “We offer support for a wider range of languages, and we have already successfully launched operations with numerous centers, overcoming a significant operational challenge within the government and public safety sectors.”

A Vision for the Future of Emergency Response

Sanders envisions Hyper alleviating some of the stress associated with contacting emergency services, potentially attracting more individuals to this vital profession. He noted that many call centers are currently understaffed and facing recruitment difficulties.

“The role is incredibly demanding, and I’m not certain I could personally fulfill it,” Sanders admitted. “However, I am confident in my ability to develop technology that can provide assistance – supporting call-takers and dispatchers, the often-overlooked heroes, by managing non-emergency calls and ultimately contributing to saving lives.”