South African emergency response platform AURA is gearing up for rapid global expansion after raising €13.5 million ($14.6 million) in a Series B funding round co-led by Cathay AfricInvest Innovation Fund (CAIF) and global venture capital firm Partech.
This latest investment brings AURA’s total funding to €21 million ($22.8 million) and will help accelerate its entry into the United States while strengthening its presence in nearly 50 countries within the next two years.
Founded in 2017 by Warren Myers, Ryan Green, and Adam Pantanowitz, AURA has developed a cutting-edge emergency tech platform that connects people in distress with the closest vetted private security or medical responders.
Using a smart auto-dispatch system integrated into mobile apps, panic buttons, and IoT devices, AURA delivers a faster, more coordinated response than traditional emergency services.
AURA’s mission is to democratize access to life-saving support, especially in regions like South Africa where private emergency services have typically been costly and out of reach for many.
The company offers affordable subscriptions, usually between $2.20 and $2.70 per month, through a B2B2C model.
Partnering with major companies such as Uber, Samsung, FNB, and various insurance providers, AURA integrates emergency response as a value-added service on consumer platforms.
“Our vision is simple: anyone with a mobile device should have access to fast, reliable emergency help,” said Warren Myers, CEO of AURA.
“This new funding allows us to take our impact global and extend our service into new markets like the U.S.”
Currently operating in South Africa, Kenya, the United Kingdom, and the U.S., AURA boasts over 1.2 million users and secures more than 200,000 properties.
Its network in South Africa includes over 3,000 private responders, making it the country’s largest private emergency response system.
Globally, the platform has helped save an estimated 7,500 lives.
The new funds will be used to scale AURA’s technology, enhance integrations, and develop a “global clearing house”, a unified API designed to streamline emergency dispatch across borders.
In countries like the U.S. and UK, where public emergency services face increasing strain and often deprioritize non-verified alarms, AURA sees an opportunity to fill critical gaps with its private responder network.
CAIF increased its investment in this round, while Partech joined AURA’s cap table for the first time.
Investors praised AURA’s strong execution, scalable business model, and ambitious global vision.
“We believe AURA’s technology can redefine how emergency response works, worldwide,” said Patricia Rinke, Investment Director at CAIF.
Beyond commercial goals, AURA’s work aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals focused on health and community safety, reinforcing its commitment to making the world a safer, more connected place.
With major venture capital backing, strategic partnerships across multiple industries, and operations spanning three continents, AURA is not only exporting African innovation but building the foundation for a global safety infrastructure.
