InterAct991 Corp., a Winston-Salem, N.C.-based provider of public safety and homeland security solutions for private sector businesses, has raised $28 million in new VC funding. Foundation Capital and Bay Partners co-led the round, and were joined by return backer SilkRoad Equity.
PRESS RELEASE
InterAct911 Corporation, parent company of InterAct Public Safety Systems, announced today that it has closed on a $28 million equity round of capital led by new investors Foundation Capital and Bay Partners, joining existing investor SilkRoad Equity. Plans for the current round of capital include a significant expansion of InterAct’s worldwide direct sales and marketing efforts, strategic acquisitions and new product development. Warren Weiss, general partner of Foundation Capital, and Eric Chin, general partner of Bay Partners, will join the company’s board of directors.
InterAct is the leading provider of comprehensive public safety and homeland security solutions for private sector businesses, as well as local, state, national and international government agencies. InterAct’s suite of mission critical applications include a Next Generation 911 phone system; multi-agency, scalable computer aided dispatch (CAD), mapping and mobile data sharing systems; as well as digital video surveillance and emergency notification systems.
“Safety and security technology, both public and commercial, remains the highest procurement requirement worldwide,” said Ted Collins, president and CEO of InterAct. “Keeping pace with evolving standards, including video, text messaging, and VoIP is essential to effectively respond to any threat. This investment enables us to serve a far broader audience worldwide.”
InterAct is poised for significant growth with high demand for versatile and adaptive Next Generation 911 systems. Warren Weiss, general partner at Foundation Capital who also joins InterAct’s board of directors, believes the public safety industry is reaching a tipping point with the development of public safety networks that will enable Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) to take advantage of virtual consolidation. “InterAct is uniquely qualified to serve the needs of the evolving market trends. We are excited to back one of the clear leaders in the industry and help continue to drive their rapid growth,” said Weiss.
Eric Chin of Bay Partners, who also joins InterAct’s board, added, “We are excited to join Foundation Capital as investors in the company. InterAct has a large market opportunity, an exceptional leadership team, best-in-class products and a long-term vision to become a very large, successful company.”
About InterAct911 Corporation
InterAct911 Corporation has been Making Connections for Life™ providing both stand-alone and fully integrated mission-critical public safety and homeland security systems and products since 1975. As the pioneers of the first three-screen E911 system 20 years ago, our passion for innovation is leading the way to Next Generation telephony, dispatch, records management, and mobile data systems. We’re extending the definition of public safety with unique applications like intelligent digital video surveillance, alert notification and crisis management systems. InterAct makes it possible for first responders from private, state, local and national agencies to decrease response times and increase their effectiveness in the communities they serve. InterAct is an ISO 9001:2000 certified company. For more information, please visit www.interact911.com.
About Foundation Capital
Founded in 1995, Foundation Capital is a venture capital firm committed to supporting entrepreneurs and their companies, targeting innovative opportunities in cleantech, consumer Internet and infrastructure; telecommunications and networking; and enterprise software and on demand services. Foundation Capital funds total more than $2.4 billion. For more information, visit www.foundationcapital.com.
About Bay Partners
Bay Partners, LLC is a leading venture capital firm located in Silicon Valley. The firm has been building successful technology companies since 1976, funding over 300 startups. Bay leverages the operating background of its partners and its extensive network of executives and advisors to help outstanding entrepreneurs create the leaders in new high-growth market segments. Notable successes from Bay’s portfolio include Brocade, Concord Communications, Digital Island, Exodus, Sonicwall, Placeware, Informatica, Web Logic (BEA) and NetScaler. Bay has over $1 billion under management. For more information, please visit www.baypartners.com.
About SilkRoad Equity
SilkRoad Equity is a private investment firm founded by Andrew J. “Flip” Filipowski and Matthew Roszak. SilkRoad Equity targets investments in the areas of technology, life sciences, media and entertainment and real estate, and is comprised of a portfolio of companies that includes: Barefoot Landing, Cryo-Cell International, House of Blues, InterAct911, Mastro Auctions, MissionMode Solutions, onramp Branding, Pendulab, Primo Water, Rakote, SilkRoad technology, SolidSpace, TrueSystems and Viwawa. For more information, visit www.silkroadequity.com.