Prepared AI just secured a major win with a fresh $27 million Series B round, a move that puts the New York startup squarely at the center of the push to modernise 911 emergency response across the United States. The investment, led by Andreessen Horowitz with backing from First Round Capital, M13, and NewView Capital, brings the company’s total funding to $57 million.
It’s a strong signal that investors believe the old 911 infrastructure is overdue for an overhaul,and that Prepared AI is the one to do it.
The startup’s work comes at a time when millions of Americans dial 911 every year, yet most call centers are still powered by technology designed for the landline era.
That outdated setup makes it harder for emergency teams to access real-time data like photos, videos, texts, and accurate GPS locations. With 80% of emergency calls now coming from wireless devices, the gap keeps growing. Prepared AI’s CEO and co-founder, Michael Chime, has been vocal about the stakes, calling the tech gap “a matter of life and death.”
Prepared AI wants to close that gap by giving call takers the kind of situational clarity that wasn’t possible with older systems. Instead of relying on patchy descriptions or delayed information, dispatchers can get everything through a simple browser-based platform.
Because the system integrates with existing infrastructure, agencies don’t need to replace their tech to adopt it. This alone removes one of the biggest barriers to modernisation. Today, the company already supports around 1,000 agencies across 49 states and covers nearly 30% of the U.S. population.
The new funding is set to deepen Prepared AI’s focus on assistive artificial intelligence that supports emergency responders instead of overwhelming them. David Ulevitch from Andreessen Horowitz said the platform “extends the efficiencies of first responders,” and that’s exactly where the company believes the future is heading. The goal is not to automate humans out of emergencies but to give them sharper tools to act faster and more confidently.
One of the platform’s standout features is its two-way audio translation tool. Whenever a 911 caller speaks Spanish, the system instantly translates the audio into English for the call taker. It removes the need for third-party interpreters, a process that often slows down critical moments when seconds matter.
Another breakthrough is the integration with Apple’s Emergency SOS feature. An iPhone user can now share live video, recorded media, and texts directly with 911 dispatchers, giving responders a clearer picture of what they’re walking into.
For decades, emergency response systems have struggled to keep up with rapid changes in communication technology. Even as smartphones evolve every year, many call centers still operate with software that hasn’t seen a real upgrade in two decades. Prepared AI wants to bridge that gap.
Its flagship platform, Prepared Assist, processes next-generation data, videos, texts, locations, in real time and turns it into information call takers can use immediately. The aim is simple: give every 911 center the ability to see more, understand faster, and act sooner.
The company believes the future of emergency response depends on speed, clarity, and the seamless flow of data. With better workflows and faster access to the right information, 911 call centers can cut down response times and prevent small incidents from turning into major emergencies.
And because the tech adapts to existing systems, it lowers the barrier for nationwide adoption. Communities with fewer resources won’t be left behind, which has always been a huge challenge in public safety infrastructure.
Prepared AI’s new funding round reinforces the idea that 911 modernization is becoming a national priority. Other industries, from banking to healthcare, have reinvented their operations with AI.
Emergency response, however, has been slower to adopt new technologies due to strict regulations, complex infrastructure, and high stakes. That’s why this raise matters. It’s more than a business milestone. It’s a signal that investors and policymakers are ready for meaningful change.
The startup’s progress also comes with growing expectations. Public safety systems are notoriously slow to update because any new tool must work flawlessly, every time. Prepared AI will need to continue improving its accuracy, reliability, and speed to win the trust of more agencies across the country. These aren’t normal customer relationships. Lives are involved. That adds both pressure and opportunity.
Still, the company is clearly moving in the right direction. As responsible AI becomes a central topic in public safety, Prepared AI is building features that give call takers more confidence and clearer visibility. Real-time translation opens doors for inclusive emergency support. Live video and media sharing give responders unprecedented clarity. Faster decision-making tools can shave seconds off responses when people need help the most.
Prepared AI’s long-term impact will depend on how well it keeps innovating while navigating the rigid, high-stakes world of emergency response. But the momentum is there. And with an additional $27 million, the startup is well-positioned to shape the future of public safety across the United States. For now, Prepared AI stands as one of the most promising companies reimagining how 911 centers operate, and how communities get help when every moment counts.
