AURA, a South African startup offering emergency response services, has raised €13.5 million (around $15.1 million) in its Series B funding round.
This significant investment will help the company grow internationally, especially in the U.S.
The funding round was jointly led by Partech, a global venture capital firm, and the Cathay AfricInvest Innovation Fund (CAIF).
It signals a new phase of growth for the company as it looks to scale its platform beyond Africa and the UK.
Launched in 2017 by Warren Myers, Ryan Green, and Adam Pantanowitz, AURA provides fast access to emergency assistance by linking users with the closest verified responders.
These include private and public security services, medical help, and roadside assistance.
The platform uses technology to offer real-time connections to a wide network of responders. This not only helps reduce the time it takes for help to arrive but also ensures more areas are covered.
With this latest funding, AURA plans to enter the U.S. market and build a global system for emergency response.
The goal is to create a universal platform that connects people to nearby help anywhere in the world using just one API.
“This is a key moment in AURA’s journey,” said CEO Warren Myers. “After building a solid presence in Africa and the UK, we’re excited to go global. We want personal safety to be easily accessible across borders and platforms, through one seamless connection.”
AURA currently supports more than 1.2 million users and offers protection for over 200,000 properties.
Insurers, transportation apps, and smart home technology providers use its services. The company is already active in South Africa, the UK, and Kenya.
The new investment brings AURA’s total funding to over $21 million. Earlier investors include Buffet Investments, KLT Holdings, and MultiChoice Group.
The startup was also recognized by the Financial Times in 2023 as one of Africa’s fastest-growing companies.
Patricia Rinke, Investment Director at CAIF, expressed confidence in AURA’s plans:
“We believe in their strong vision and ability to deliver as they expand into the U.S. and beyond. We’re also excited to work with Partech to help make emergency response more accessible everywhere.”
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