Photo by Caleb Cook on Unsplash
Fire-Tracking App Watch Duty Downloaded 2 Million Times In Los Angeles
- Written by Andrea Miliani Former Tech News Expert
- Fact-Checked by Justyn Newman Former Lead Cybersecurity Editor
The fire-tracking app Watch Duty has reached over 2 million downloads and 14 million unique users this week, as Los Angeles residents rely on the collaborative platforms for updates on ongoing wildfires.
In a Rush? Here are the Quick Facts!
- Watch Duty reached 2 million downloads and 14 unique users during the past week.
- Los Angeles residents rely on the app as the best technology with up-to-date and reliable information.
- In an interview with the New York Times, the CEO John Mills said the app operates with 15 full-time employees and 200 volunteers.
According to the New York Times , the tech company has provided more reliable up-to-date information compared to the county’s alert system. Many people in the region have downloaded Watch Duty and spread the word to get more users to benefit from the platform’s information.
Watch Duty’s Chief Executive John Mills explained that a nonprofit organization runs the app. The team in charge includes 15 full-time employees and about 200 volunteers, including former firefighters, reporters, and professionals who monitor radio broadcasts, reports, and official updates to add real-time information.
Mills, an entrepreneur from Northern California, built the app after he had to escape wildfires in the past and noticed the government’s technology needed to improve. He explained that the platform doesn’t collect too much personal data from users and that he doesn’t want to sell it or turn it into a for-profit company.
“This is my life and my community,” said Mills. “I owe it to my community to not be a disaster capitalist.”
The app is primarily funded by donations and currently covers 22 states in the U.S.
Users can download it for free and support the project by paying a $79 annual fee, subscribing for $24.99 per month, or making tax-deductible donations.
Google recently announced an AI-powered tool to detect wildfire called FireSat that should be released this year.
Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash
British Health-Tech Startup Cera Secures $150M To Expand And Hits Unicorn Status
- Written by Andrea Miliani Former Tech News Expert
- Fact-Checked by Justyn Newman Former Lead Cybersecurity Editor
The UK-based health technology startup Cera raised $150 million to expand its platform and services in a recent funding round. The company’s value has now surpassed $1 billion, reaching unicorn status.
In a Rush? Here are the Quick Facts!
- Cera raised 150 million in a funding round, reaching a valuation above $1 billion and a unicorn status.
- The company expects to expands its platform, develop new AI technologies and reach more areas such as nursing, mental health and home provision.
- Dr. Ben Maruthappu, Cera CEO, claims the startup’s service has helped the NHS financially, reducing hospitalization, waiting times, and performing analysis
According to The Times , the new funding consists of equity and debt and was led by BDT & MSD Partners and Schroders Capital.
Cera, founded by Dr. Ben Maruthappu—current CEO and former National Health Service (NHS) doctor— in 2016, will use the new funding to expand and develop new AI technologies for its in-home healthcare services.
Maruthappu explained that they will focus on improving their current platform and technologies services, such as fall detection among the elderly, and developing more services, such as nursing, mental health, home provision, and physiotherapy services.
According to TechCrunch , firms like DigitalHealth, Guinness Ventures, and Earlymarket are among the company’s main investors. Cera has raised more than $407 million, and sources said that the startup’s revenues have been rewarding, reaching an EBITA-positive status in 2023 and generating more cash from its operations in 2024. Public files should confirm this soon.
“We are getting to profitability, plus we have very significant stale how we’re using our technology and AI, and we’ve expanded into more services in the home,” said Maruthappu to Tech Crunch.
Maruthappu claims his company has helped NHS by taking pressure off and also financially, by saving the public institution £1 million a day. According to the data shared, the company’s 10,000 staff handles 2 million appointments in a month and have helped reduce hospitalization by 70% and shortening wait times.
The California-based startup Hippocratic AI also reached unicorn status a few days ago, after raising $141 million in a Series B round.
