Former Harvard Law Student Raises $6 Million in Funding for Police AI Startup
Boston-based startup Blue Voice, which provides police officers with real-time policy guidance during field operations, has raised funding led by SignalFire and Las Olas VC.
Founded by David Lawrence, who dropped out of Harvard Law School, Blue Voice has secured $6 million in funding to provide law enforcement agencies with artificial intelligence-powered policy guidance.
The Founding Story of the Startup
Deeply affected by an on-campus shooting incident involving a police officer while he was a student at Harvard Law School, David Lawrence dropped out to pursue the field of artificial intelligence. Together with co-founders Amit Patankar and retired Boston Police Deputy Superintendent Michael Gropman, he launched the company Blue Voice.
Investment Process and Area of Use
Emerging from stealth, the Boston-based startup secured $6 million in funding to serve 225 county agencies across 25 states, with the round led by SignalFire and Las Olas VC. The application helps officers act in accordance with department protocols during their daily duties.
How the System Works
Instead of general-purpose AI models or cumbersome manuals, the platform is trained based on department-specific laws, local regulations, and guidelines. During active shooter situations, it provides quick access to school maps while operating by linking its responses directly to the original regulations.
Growth and Future Goals
Having increased its customer base elevenfold over the past year, the startup supports departments in many different scenarios ranging from the prevention of kidnappings to mandatory mental health evaluations. Competing with the private equity-backed Lexipol, the company has also added new features to help detectives solve cases.