London-based Where You At (WYA), is a female-founded mesh technology platform designed to help make congested events safer. The company has raised £2.5 million in pre-seed funding led by Tony Mallin MBE of Star Capital alongside Cambridge Enterprise, Cambridge Angels, and leading angels including Ian Cook the former CEO of Colgate-Palmolive, and Carolyn Dawson CEO of Founders Forum.
The investment will further develop its platform, “Google Maps for indoor spaces.”
What problem does it address?
WYA addresses a crucial problem: the challenge of losing contact with friends in busy spaces where poor signal often compromises safety and communication. It was founded by Tamzin Lent, who was motivated by a personal experience of assault after losing friends at a nightclub.
Using a patented mesh system, the app offers real-time location sharing and communication, while event organisers can use it for optimising their space and anonymised footfall analytics. Users enjoy real-time location sharing, offline connectivity, safety alerts, and event-specific features. Event operators benefit from tools for crowd management, emergency communications, and targeted messaging.
Add-ons to its platform
The company has developed a low-cost, scalable mesh network for connectivity and crowd data monitoring which results in a better value proposition for crowd management, and has launched a replayable video heatmap feature for operators. They have also added a Meeting Points feature enabling people to set meeting points inside venues and share them with their friends. Operators can have more flexible layout options and improved app functionality.
Now, the team is focussing on how their crowd management tool and communications capabilities could benefit venues by navigating Martyn’s Law. After a successful summer pilot, the app is also looking to partner with more festivals and cement further strategic partnerships.
Partnerships
The app has now established vital partnerships with influential venues, including Drumsheds, Night Tales, Cardiff’s Y Plas, Rock City, XOYO, and E1. With venues in Sheffield, Essex, London, Cardiff, and Nottingham, they are also now supporting festivals and large-scale spaces.
WYA has also partnered with the Night Time Industry Association and their efforts have been recognised with a patent for their offline connectivity system.
James Slater, Venue Operations Manager at The Level (NTSU) said “WYA links people with their peers and strengthens the ability to keep contact with those that you’re out with, even when they’ve wandered away and phone signal is limited. Tamzin and the team have been a dream to work with, with a modern eye for developing customer and venue safety through their stunning app”.
Liam Cross, previously Night Group’s Senior Marketing Manager added: “WYA are an amazing team to work with. They are truly dedicated to making our nights safer for everyone. From the detailed research reports to seeking our sponsorship – they continue to go above and beyond”.
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