SA startup RapidDeploy opens office in Austin, Texas to meet growing US demand

In a bid to meet growing demand from US customers, SA startup RapidDeploy has opened its US headquarters in Austin, Texas, the startup announced in a statement today (21 January).

RapidDeploy claims that its cloud-based technology platform, offers emergency first responders relevant and accurate information in real time on a critical situation. This reduces response times dramatically, in scenarios where every second is a matter of life or death.

In September last year RapidDeploy CEO and co-founder Steve Raucher (pictured above, far left during an unveiling ceremony of the new office) told Ventureburn that he planned to relocate to the US. The move to the US followed an earlier announcement of a deal with US telecoms giant AT&T to offer its platform to the US’s 911 service.

SA startup RapidDeploy selected Austin, Texas to set up its US office, because of its talented tech workforce and its extensive tech ecosystem

At the time Raucher said the platform was already deployed in over 35 agencies around the world, and had processed tens of thousands of emergency calls.

The startup said at the time that it had initiated pilot tests or is in contract discussions with about 75 emergency agencies throughout the US, including city governments and police departments.

Commenting in a statement today, he said: “With customer demand booming and the US market longing for modern technology to replace their outdated infrastructure, it was time to move our headquarters to the US, we’ll be closer to some of our most important customers and partners, and are excited to begin this new chapter”.

SA ambassador to the US Mninwa Johannes Mahlangu said in the same statement that the new US office would likely have a positive effect on alleviating poverty and creating jobs in South Africa.

“This partnership is going to take us many years forward building the road for the young people of both of these countries, creating jobs in the United States of America and in South Africa and playing a very big role in what we are calling the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” said Mahlangu.

RapidDeploy COO Reinhard Ekl claims the company’s cloud-based alert system is “more reliable, faster to deploy and more effective” and offers more features than traditional computer-based dispatch software.

The startup said it selected Austin because of its talented technology workforce and its extensive technology ecosystem.

“We’re a technology company,” said Ekl. “We need access to a strong talent pool and there’s a great entrepreneurial spirit in Austin.”

The startup said it aims to hire 25 employees for its Austin office by the end of March. With its total workforce standing at 50, plans are to double numbers by the end of the year, while continuing to grow its team in Cape Town, it said.

Read more: Cape Town startup RapidDeploy to move HQ to US after AT&T deal for 911 product

Featured image (from left to right): RapidDeploy co-founder and CEO Steven Raucher, SA ambassador to the US Mninwa Johannes Mahlangu, Austin mayor Steve Adler and RapidDeploy co-founder and CTO Brett Meyerowitz (Supplied)