£2.5 Million Boost for Nightlife Safety App WYA
In a significant step forward for nightlife safety, the innovative app Where You At (WYA), which is founded by the visionary Tamzin Lent, has recently secured £2.5 million in pre-seed funding. This fundraising initiative, led by Tony Mallin of Star Capital, has propelled the app into the spotlight, allowing it to make a profound impact in a relatively short time frame. The app, designed specifically to enhance safety and connectivity in crowded venues, employs cutting-edge indoor mapping and offline mesh technology. This is particularly vital in bustling spaces where traditional mobile signals can falter, making it difficult for friends to stay in touch. The app addresses this critical issue by ensuring real-time location sharing and offering emergency communication features, all while providing event organizers with essential tools for crowd management and safety alerts.
Since its launch, WYA has gained traction and established key partnerships with over 20 prominent venues, including Drumsheds, Night Tales, Ministry Of Sound, XOYO, and E1.
The successful funding round has allowed the company to refine its platform, which is being hailed as the “Google Maps for indoor spaces.” Notably, the app has introduced a low-cost, scalable mesh network that enhances connectivity, enabling operators to monitor crowd dynamics efficiently. A new replayable video heatmap feature has been launched, providing valuable insights to venue operators, while the enhanced Meeting Points tool offers improved functionality and layout options. This swift progress has garnered recognition through prestigious accolades, including a patent for the offline connectivity system and various awards at the EASI Awards, showcasing the app's innovative contributions to social impact in the nightlife sector.
As WYA continues to evolve, the team is now strategically focusing on how their advanced crowd management tools and communication capabilities can assist venues in complying with Martyn’s Law, particularly in light of heightened safety measures. Following a successful summer pilot, there are plans to forge additional partnerships with festivals to broaden their reach. The app has already seen over 50,000 downloads, catapulting it into the Top 10 on Apple’s navigation category. By bridging the gap between friends in crowded spaces, WYA not only strengthens social connections but also enhances overall safety during nights out. As James Slater, Venue Operations Manager at NTSU & Broadwick Live, aptly puts it, “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.” With robust competition from platforms like Woov, Snapchat, and Life360, WYA distinguishes itself with its unique offline functionality and comprehensive suite of safety features, positioning itself for growth across various event types.
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