Carbyne Raises $20M to Revolutionize Emergency Response

The Interconnected World of Emergency Response

Situations of chaos and crisis frequently occur simultaneously when seeking emergency assistance. A 911 call within the United States – and equivalent urgent numbers internationally – initiates a cascade of subsequent calls to various emergency services, including ambulance dispatchers, hospitals, and other crucial entities. Effective coordination is paramount to saving lives.

Ideally, all involved parties should operate with access to the same information; however, this is not always the case. Israel-based Carbyne offers a software platform designed to streamline this coordination process.

Carbyne Secures New Funding

Carbyne’s platform ensures that vital details – such as a caller’s precise location or pre-existing medical conditions – are seamlessly transferred from the 911 operator to the paramedic on-site. The company has recently secured $20 million in new funding, building upon a previously reported $25 million Series B round led by Ingrid Lunden in January.

This latest funding round was spearheaded by Global Medical Response (GMR), a leading global emergency medical provider. GMR maintains a substantial fleet of vehicles, encompassing ambulances, trucks, helicopters, and aircraft, to facilitate rapid patient transport to healthcare facilities. Established in 2018, GMR originated from a consolidation of emergency services orchestrated by the private equity firm KKR.

Convertible Note and Investor Participation

According to CEO and co-founder Amir Elichai, the funding was structured as a convertible note, slated to convert during Carbyne’s subsequent fundraising round. Additional investors participating in this round included Hanaco VC, Intercap VC, and Elsted Capital.

Elichai noted that the fundraising process was completed swiftly, within approximately three weeks, and was intentionally capped at $20 million, considering the company’s earlier funding this year, which had valued the company at “over $100 million.”

Strengthening the Partnership with GMR

Carbyne and GMR have maintained a collaborative partnership since late 2020, and this relationship is now being further solidified. Edward Van Horne, GMR’s COO, will be joining Carbyne’s board of directors.

Enhanced Capabilities Through Technology

Beyond providing more precise location services for emergency callers, Carbyne’s technology enables callers to initiate a live video stream. This feature provides emergency responders with real-time visual information regarding the situation at hand.

This capability is particularly valuable for GMR, as first responders require the most current information to maximize their effectiveness. Elichai explained, “The ability to obtain more intelligent information and enhance situational awareness for each incident will empower emergency medical services to triage more effectively and respond more quickly and intelligently to events within their jurisdiction.”

He continued, “Essentially, the entire ecosystem becomes more dependable and efficient, thanks to the Carbyne ecosystem we are developing in conjunction with GMR.”

Recent Developments and Expansion

A comprehensive analysis of the company was previously published by a colleague in January, offering insights into its origins, product offerings, and its resilience during the pandemic. Several noteworthy updates have emerged in recent months.

Since the beginning of 2021, Carbyne has experienced a doubling of its recurring revenues, although specific financial figures remain undisclosed. The company’s workforce has also grown by 30% during the same period.

Notable successes include the implementation of Carbyne’s system in New Orleans, with plans to transition its emergency centers, as well as deployments in Texas, Georgia, and Florida. Elichai attributed much of this expansion to increased federal investment in 911 infrastructure, facilitated by recent COVID-19 stimulus packages.

Future Growth and Innovation

The company’s co-founder and CTO, Alex Dizengof, will be relocating from Israel to the United States to establish a new research and development center.

Furthermore, Carbyne recently announced the development of a new “Ultra Emergency Network” in collaboration with Israel Aerospace Industries. This network will enable phones to transmit emergency location data even in post-disaster scenarios where conventional mobile networks are compromised or unavailable.

This latest investment reflects a growing trend of venture capital interest in the disaster resilience sector, with increased funding and innovation focused on communications infrastructure and data-driven solutions.