London-based tech startup Where You At (WYA), a female-founded platform aimed at enhancing safety and communication in crowded spaces, has secured £2.5 million in pre-seed funding.
The investment round was led by Tony Mallin MBE of Star Capital, alongside Cambridge Enterprise, Cambridge Angels, and prominent angel investors including Ian Cook, former CEO of Colgate-Palmolive, and Carolyn Dawson, CEO of Founders Forum.
The Problem: Safety in Crowded Spaces
WYA was created to tackle a critical issue: staying connected with friends in congested venues where poor phone signals often jeopardize safety. Founder Tamzin Lent was inspired to launch the platform after a personal experience of assault at a nightclub, where she lost contact with her friends due to unreliable connectivity.
WYA’s solution, often described as “Google Maps for indoor spaces,” uses a patented mesh technology system to provide real-time location sharing and communication, even without an internet connection. This platform not only enables users to stay connected with peers but also empowers event organizers with tools for crowd management, safety alerts, and data-driven insights.
Technology and Features
WYA’s app offers key features such as offline connectivity, location sharing, and safety alerts, specifically tailored for large-scale events. Event operators can also benefit from anonymized footfall analytics, crowd control tools, and the ability to communicate with attendees during emergencies.
Recent additions to the platform include a video heatmap feature that allows operators to review crowd movements post-event, and a "Meeting Points" tool that lets users set and share specific meeting spots with their friends. These enhancements offer venues greater flexibility in layout design and improve overall event management.
Expanding Partnerships and Industry Recognition
WYA has built key partnerships with several high-profile venues, including Drumsheds, Night Tales, Cardiff’s Y Plas, Rock City, XOYO, and E1. The startup is now operational in cities across the UK, from London to Sheffield, Nottingham, and Cardiff. Its innovative offline connectivity feature, recognized with a patent, has also caught the attention of the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA).
James Slater, Venue Operations Manager at Nottingham Trent Students' Union's The Level, praised WYA, stating, “WYA links people with their peers and strengthens the ability to keep contact with those you’re out with, even when they’ve wandered away and phone signal is limited.”
Similarly, Liam Cross, former Senior Marketing Manager at Night Group, added, “The WYA team goes above and beyond, not just in terms of their app’s safety features but also in their dedication to working closely with venues and operators.”
With its latest round of funding, WYA is poised to scale its platform further, enhancing safety and connectivity for both event attendees and operators.
