South African emergency response platform AURA is preparing to scale globally after securing €13.5 million ($14.6 million) in Series B funding. The round, co-led by Cathay AfricInvest Innovation Fund (CAIF) and global venture capital firm Partech, brings the startup’s total funding to date to €21 million ($22.8 million). The funds will accelerate AURA’s expansion into the United States and help solidify its presence in nearly 50 countries within the next two years.
Founded in 2017 by Warren Myers, Ryan Green, and Adam Pantanowitz, AURA has emerged as one of the most innovative emergency tech platforms in the world. The company connects people in distress with the nearest vetted private security or medical responder using a smart auto-dispatch platform integrated into mobile apps, panic buttons, and IoT devices. The result is a rapid, coordinated response that’s faster and more accessible than traditional emergency systems.
What sets AURA apart is its mission to democratise access to life-saving services. In regions like South Africa, access to private emergency support has long been limited to those who can afford high-end alarm systems or monthly security contracts. AURA flips that model by offering a low-cost subscription, usually between $2.20 and $2.70 per month, through a B2B2C framework. Partnering with companies like Uber, Samsung, FNB, and insurance providers, AURA enables a wide range of consumer-facing platforms to embed emergency response as a value-added service.
“Our vision is simple: anyone with a mobile device should have access to fast, reliable emergency help,” said Warren Myers, AURA’s CEO. “This new funding allows us to take our impact global and extend our service into new markets like the U.S.”
AURA already operates in South Africa, Kenya, the United Kingdom, and the U.S., and boasts over 1.2 million users and more than 200,000 properties secured. Its South African network alone features over 3,000 private responders, forming the country’s largest private emergency response system. Globally, the startup has saved an estimated 7,500 lives.
The newly raised funds will be directed toward scaling its technology, deepening integrations, and building what it calls a “global clearing house”—a unified API system that streamlines emergency dispatch across national boundaries. In countries like the U.S. and UK, where public responders are increasingly burdened and de-prioritizing non-verified alarms, AURA sees a clear opportunity to fill the gaps left by overstretched services.
The funding round also saw CAIF double down on its previous investment, while Partech joined the company’s cap table for the first time. Investors highlighted AURA’s execution strength, scalable business model, and global vision.
“We believe AURA’s technology can redefine how emergency response works—worldwide,” said Patricia Rinke, Investment Director at CAIF.
Beyond commercial ambitions, AURA’s mission aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals on health (SDG 3) and community safety (SDG 11), reinforcing its commitment to making the world not just more connected, but safer.
With backing from major VCs, strategic partners across industries, and a presence on three continents, AURA is not just exporting African innovation—it’s building the infrastructure for global safety.
