RapidsOS EC-1 - Details & Information

The Significance of 911 and the Challenges of Modern Emergency Response

A mere three digits carry immense weight. While numbers often hold cultural importance, 911 – the emergency number for the United States – resonates profoundly. Though ideally never needed, it functions reliably in times of crisis. It’s estimated that approximately 240 million 911 calls are placed annually, encompassing everything from minor disturbances to major incidents.

A Fragmented System

Despite being a single number, 911 calls are routed to around 5,700 Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) nationwide. These PSAPs operate independently, exhibiting variations in equipment, software, organizational structure, and resource allocation.

As Karin Marquez observes, each 911 center is distinct, reflecting the unique characteristics of the community it serves. Larger cities boast numerous staff members and advanced technology, while rural areas may rely on a single operator handling a limited number of calls daily.

The Need for System Modernization

These organizations are confronted with a significant undertaking: integrating data from the proliferation of consumer devices into the 911 response process. Location data from mobile GPS, medical information from personal health records, and video feeds from security cameras all hold potential value for first responders. However, establishing connectivity between numerous technology companies and the diverse landscape of 911 technology providers presents a complex challenge.

RapidSOS: A Leading Solution

For the past eight years, RapidSOS has emerged as a key player in addressing this issue. Having secured over $190 million in funding, including an $85 million round in February, RapidSOS currently supports nearly 5,000 PSAPs and processes more than 150 million emergency events each year.

The company’s technology is likely integrated into the smartphone you use and many other connected devices, boasting a network of approximately 350 million devices utilizing its software.

A Story of Adaptation and Growth

The company’s journey has been marked by challenges, course corrections, and a sense of urgency as its founders sought a viable model to enhance 911 response. RapidSOS represents a unique case – a startup that transitioned from a consumer application to a hybrid govtech/enterprise model.

Furthermore, it possesses an exceptionally extensive network of partnerships and integrations, arguably the most comprehensive of any startup. As RapidSOS expands into Mexico, the United Kingdom, and other regions, it is poised to redefine emergency response on a global scale for the 21st century.

EC-1 Contributors

This EC-1 report was authored by Danny Crichton, who also serves as the series editor and managing editor at TechCrunch. He previously covered RapidSOS in 2015, before its public launch. Ram Iyer served as the lead editor, with copy editing provided by Richard Dal Porto, and illustrations created by Nigel Sussman.

It is important to note that RapidSOS had no influence over the content of this analysis and did not receive advance access. Crichton maintains no financial ties to RapidSOS, and his ethics disclosure statement is publicly available.

EC-1 Report Overview

The RapidSOS EC-1 consists of four articles totaling 12,400 words, with an estimated reading time of 50 minutes. The topics covered are as follows:

• Part 1: Origin Story – “Smoking pizza ovens and pilfered dollar bills, or the early story of RapidSOS” (2,700 words/11 minutes) – Details the initial years of RapidSOS and its evolution from a consumer app to a govtech and integrated services provider.
• Part 2: Product and Business – “RapidSOS learned that the best product design is sometimes no product design” (3,700 words/15 minutes) – Examines the strategic decisions behind RapidSOS’s pivot and the success of its current business model.
• Part 3: Partnerships – “How RapidSOS used creative tactics to build partnerships and a BD engine at scale” (4,000 words/16 minutes) – Investigates the methods RapidSOS employed to forge numerous corporate and individual partnerships in its pursuit of transforming 911.
• Part 4: Next-Generation 911 – “After a decade, Congress might finally bring 911 into the internet age” (2,000 words/8 minutes) – Explores the future of 911 following a period of stagnation and limited funding, as well as the potential of RapidSOS.

We continually refine the EC-1 format. Feedback, comments, and suggestions are welcome. Please contact TechCrunch Managing Editor Danny Crichton at danny@techcrunch.com.