In a big stride in the direction of enhancing private security, notably for ladies strolling alone at evening, London-based startup eNOugh has efficiently raised over €280K in pre-seed funding. The startup, co-founded by College Faculty London (UCL) alumni Ina Jovicic and Gaelic Jara Reinhold, is about to launch an revolutionary AI-powered safety badge designed to discourage harassment and make sure the security of its customers.
The inception of eNOugh was deeply private. Ina Jovicic, one of many co-founders, was attacked by 4 males throughout a stroll residence in London. Though she escaped with knee accidents, the incident left an enduring influence, prompting her to create an answer that would forestall others from experiencing comparable conditions. This unlucky encounter laid the muse for eNOugh, a startup dedicated to addressing the rising considerations round private security.
Within the UK, the problem of private security has gained widespread consideration, notably in mild of tragic occasions just like the homicide of Sarah Everard. Statistics present that half of all ladies and one in seven males don’t really feel secure strolling alone at evening, whereas two-thirds of girls have skilled public sexual harassment throughout the previous 12 months. These alarming figures underscore the pressing want for efficient security options, which eNOugh goals to offer.
The eNOugh AI safety badge
The eNOugh badge is designed not solely to reinforce private security but in addition to discourage all types of harassment. Because the founders describe it, “Consider it as your miniature private bodyguard.” Whenever you start your stroll residence, you magnetically clip the badge onto your coat or jacket at chest stage and activate it. The badge then data your total journey, with the footage being inaccessible to anybody besides the police within the occasion of an incident. The presence of the embedded digital camera serves as a robust deterrent to potential attackers. This deterrent impact is additional strengthened by the badge’s seen and simply recognisable design. Moreover, it contains a defence mild mechanism and a state of affairs de-escalation system, developed in collaboration with prison psychologists and researchers from prestigious establishments.
Its most revolutionary characteristic is its AI-powered risk detection, able to recognising potential hazard by means of the language and feelings in speech. As an example, if somebody says, “Don’t transfer and provides me your pockets,” the badge instantly recognises the risk and sends real-time knowledge, together with reside stream and placement, to an alarm receiving centre, which may take speedy motion.
What units eNOugh aside from different private security options is its complete, 360-degree strategy that prioritises prevention. Earlier options have typically targeted on a single reactive measure, however eNOugh goals to be proactive, tailoring its options to varied eventualities, making it a never-before-done answer.
Profitable funding and future plans
eNOugh’s latest pre-seed funding spherical, led by PurposeTech VC, raised £240,000, with contributions from world angel traders, together with Klara Losert, an EQT Scout. The profitable fundraising displays the widespread recognition of the significance of private security and the pressing want for revolutionary options just like the eNOugh badge.
Ina Jovicic, reflecting on the funding expertise, famous: “What made it simpler for us was that many individuals we spoke with may instantly relate to the issue we’re addressing. Whether or not as ladies who’ve skilled road harassment or as fathers, brothers, or husbands involved for his or her family members, they immediately acknowledged the necessity for our answer.”
Following this funding milestone, eNOugh is gearing as much as launch a companion app subsequent month and start pre-orders for the badge, providing unique early-bird reductions. Gaelic Jara Reinhold, Ina’s co-founder, expressed pleasure in regards to the subsequent steps, saying: “We at the moment are tremendous excited to get to the subsequent stage. We’re holding our heads down and placing all our efforts into getting the badge on the market to begin defending folks and making a optimistic influence.”