Toronto entrepreneur Josh Sookman describes his startup
Guardly's first product as "basically OnStar for your cellphone." The application, planned for a launch in December of this year, aims to provide personal safety through mobile devices by allowing a panic button on the phone to instantly reach dozens of people through multiple channels, including SMS text message, voice and instant messaging.
"I always wanted to build a business that would help people. Originally, I wanted to cure cancer," says Sookman. "I still do ... but this seemed like a more immediate way." Sookman, who has worked as an analyst with
RBC's Blackberry Partners Fund and in biotech venture capital, among other things, says his knowledge of the mobile industry and his personal experience -- a common one, with parents who wanted him to have a cellphone early so they could be sure he was safe -- combined to inspire the idea.
Guardly is working in development mode now, with a lean staff of two (plus one intern) as they seek seed funding. But working from the innovation hotbed at
Xtreme Labs, they are currently
hiring an "iPhone Rockstar" and, depending on funding, expect to further staff up as they approach release. "I'd like to have a staff of six by the end of the year," Sookman says, "although of course that's contingent on closing financing. That's life at at a startup."
Writer: Edward Keenan
Source: Josh Sookman, CEO, Guardly