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GrowLab Graduate ePACT Networks Gets Yaletown Investment
Monday, March 25, 2013Company Profile | Follow Company
Vancouver, BC, March 25, 2013--(T-Net)--Yaletown recently invested in GrowLab graduate, ePACT Networks Ltd.
ePACT is the emergency network, designed to change the way the world prepares for and responds to crises. By leveraging the power of online networking, ePACT brings organizations and individuals together to share critical information, plan collectively and communicate before, during and after any emergency for greater connectivity and safety. ePACT is based in North Vancouver, British Columbia.
After speaking with survivors of the March 2011 Japan earthquake and tsunami, Christine Sommers and Kirsten Koppang Telford founded ePACT Network Ltd. They realized that in North America and beyond, there were little-to-no support systems in place for families and organizations in case of emergency or disaster. The majority of schools, daycares, sports teams and care homes across North America were (and are) using paper-based systems to track individuals' information and contacts.
In a year that saw Hurricane Sandy as well as the tragedy at Newtown, Connecticut's Sandy Hook Elementary, several groups are already mandating budgets for better, more efficient ways for schools and organizations to communicate with families. According to a 2012 UN report, every $1 spent on preventing and mitigating disasters saves an average of $7 in humanitarian disaster response.
By leveraging technology and best in class resources, ePACT allows families and organizations to share critical information and tools to connect before, during and after any emergency. “Competitors are not doing what we are doing yet—a few are putting some pieces together, but we haven't seen an apples-to-apples comparison. We remain ahead of the competitive landscape,” says Christine Sommers, ePACT Network CEO and Cofounder.
The ePACT web-based solution is free to individuals, but charges organizations a recurring fee per-user. Families enter a single emergency record and share that crucial information across their chosen communities, ensuring a support network is in place should disaster strike. The Toronto School District has 250,000 students and is working with ePACT on a trial of the system this summer, with potential roll out across their 600 schools starting September. The estimated budget for the ePACT solution at public schools is approximately $3/student/year. Christine notes, “When you start doing the math, it adds up very quickly. It's exciting to realize that you're involved in not only a long term, sustainable business that helps communities, but potentially a very profitable one.”
Private organizations (e.g. sports teams, daycares, private schools) have indicated budget upwards of $10-25/member/year to demonstrate their commitment to emergency preparedness and response. For instance, private schools have expressed interest in revenue sharing with ePACT, using their share for added emergency supplies and training.
The North Vancouver School District participated in a trial of the system at several schools in 2012. According to Jennifer Wilson, Principal at Capilano Elementary, “The greatest benefit [of ePACT] is being able to get the information that we need, making sure the information is complete on the form and legible—handwriting can be difficult to read and can lead to misunderstandings. ePACT resolves a lot of issues for us.”
Currently in closed beta, ePACT will open to the public this spring, allowing use for all North American families and organizations interested in greater emergency capabilities. International expansion may follow quickly for ePACT; the current beta has spread to over 20 other countries as families invite their international friends and relatives to act as emergency contacts.
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