Our Startup Spotlight series introduces you to our community of innovators, highlighting their unique journeys. In this edition, we put the spotlight on Rescue Zone, the app designed to enhance safety and communication for boaters, fishers, and coastal hobbyists, making navigation and connection easier on the water.
What's your story? How did you come up with the idea for your business?
After experiencing several breakdowns at sea, highlighting the vulnerability one can feel offshore, and having an interest in recreational water activities, I aimed to enhance safety for myself and others. At that time, I was already involved in another app project initiated by my partner Laurent Guillon, where we had developed our own framework and map engine to connect people.
I conceptualized Rescue Zone based on the idea that most vessels would have a mobile device on board, allowing us to create an advanced app usable at sea. With consultancy on protocols from FishSafety.org and the New Zealand police, we developed an innovative maritime safety solution. Rescue Zone enables anyone at sea with a smartphone and internet connection to access emergency services, fostering a community-driven support network and providing a reliable safety option for all sea-goers.
Why does the industry need the solution you're providing?
Rescue Zone offers a reliable safety solution for all, whether you're a weekend paddler, an experienced mariner, or a regular fisherman. It transmits and tracks information instantly during emergencies and connects users in a dynamic social network, improving response times and outcomes. With Rescue Zone, a Search & Rescue operation becomes just a rescue.
Using just phones, our affordable system complements existing safety solutions. It's not just an app but a comprehensive software suite that transforms maritime safety. From helping hobbyists with minor issues to supporting small-scale fisheries, Rescue Zone provides valuable insights into maritime activity and safety trends, aiding authorities and organizations in identifying risks, ensuring compliance, and making informed decisions to enhance maritime safety standards.
What have you enjoyed most about starting your own company?
You can achieve a sense of accomplishment by completing projects while working for someone else. But starting your own company allows you to select the problems you want to address, particularly those you are passionate about. This is especially relevant in situations where the outcome positively impacts other people's lives, as the system is designed to alleviate tragedies.
What challenges did you have to overcome at the beginning?
For centuries, maritime safety has been managed through established protocols that have evolved over time but remained generally rigid for practical reasons, encapsulated by the saying: “confusion kills”. When presenting the potential benefits of mobile technology, it was important to approach the topic cautiously.
What’s next for your business? Where do you see it in 3-5 years?
Rescue Zone is now trusted to save an average of 20 minutes in coastal operations, making maritime safety more accessible and reliable. Looking ahead, we plan to expand globally, beyond Europe and the South Pacific, to enhance safety for sea-goers worldwide. Our goal is to use the app's capabilities to develop new connected tools, build partnerships, and reach a broader user base.
Any advice for entrepreneurs just starting out in this space?
Our experience indicates that advertising focused on ‘safety’ is most effective when combined with other practical features. On a personal note, while it is incredibly fulfilling to contribute to saving lives, it is important to acknowledge that despite your best efforts, some tragedies are inevitable.
And a fun one—what’s a quote or some words that you live by?
“It's the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting.” – The Count of Monte Cristo.
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