CommSafe AI, a San Diego -based startup whose software addresses toxic language in emails and chat apps in the workplace, has raised a new tranche of venture capital, bringing total financial support to US $ 4mil (RM16mil ) in the past year.
Co-founded by retired Navy SEAL Ty Smith, CommSafe uses algorithms to flag inappropriate communications in almost real time-before a situation escalates.
The company’s first product will be launched in the next few weeks through a partnership with ServiceNow, which provides a range of help desk tools to large businesses.
“We have completed the integration of this solution into the ServiceNow platform,” Smith said. “They’re our commercial go to market partner. We’re really excited to release this solution to big businesses in the next few weeks.”
CommSafe AI, which currently employs five full -time workers, recently raised an additional US $ 1.5mil (RM6.29) to bulk up its data analysis and engineering team capabilities prior to commercial launch. ServiceNow was founded in San Diego but moved its headquarters to the Bay Area in 2014.
CommSafe is rooted in Vigilance Risk Solutions, a security consulting firm for large companies founded by Smith and others in 2015.
The pandemic has derailed the need for security consulting, Smith said. So, the company has been pivoting to artificial intelligence software starting in June 2020.
CommSafe AI subscription software is designed to detect language associated with bullying, sexual harassment, discrimination and intellectual property theft. It works with email products including Microsoft Outlook and Google Suite, as well as collaboration tools such as Slack and Microsoft Teams. The company worked with a select group of beta customers to perfect the algorithms, primarily to reduce false positives, Smith said.
Eventually, Smith hopes to add features to the CommSafe product for early intervention in mental health crises, specifically suicide prevention.
Artificial Intelligence is expected to be the focal point of global technological change in the coming years, with applications in hundreds of industries.
San Diego has a cluster of AI companies, as well as strong research programs at regional universities and within the Naval Information Warfare Systems Command.
According to a study last year by San Diego Regional Economic Development Corp., one in four local companies is engaged in artificial intelligence to some degree.
TFX Capital led the recent round of funding for CommSafe AI, with participation from Gaingels, Crosscut, Blu Ventures and angel investors.
“The increasing prevalence of working from home has only accelerated the demand for CommSafe AI products,” Brandon Shelton, managing partner at TFX Capital, said in a statement. “This team has a unique combination of skills that give us confidence in their ability to resolve an unfortunate need for tools to stop harassment and mistreatment of employees.” -The San Diego Union-Tribune/Tribune News Service
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