Sharp Raises $18 Million in Series A Funding
Sharp, a company based in Carlsbad, California, has secured $18 million in a Series A funding round. The company offers confidential performance coaching specifically designed for first responders such as police officers, firefighters, and paramedics. This funding round was led by Hidden Variable, with participation from Andreessen Horowitz, Commonweal Ventures, Wolfson Group, FJ Labs, and the Ford Foundation.
Company Background
Sharp was co-founded by Ben Curley and Andrew Sakmar. The company provides first responders with one-on-one coaching from professionals with backgrounds in public safety or special operations. This unique approach ensures that the coaching is relevant and beneficial for the challenging roles these individuals perform. Coaches include former police officers, detectives, firefighters, paramedics, Navy SEALs, and Green Berets.
Expansion Plans
The newly acquired funds will be used to expand Sharp's services into more departments and states. The company also aims to enhance its mobile app and coaching platform, and to develop additional software and products that support the health and performance of first responders.
Current Reach and Future Goals
Currently, Sharp's platform is used by over 110 police, fire, and EMS departments across 18 states. The company has facilitated more than 16,000 coaching sessions, and its network includes over 60 individually recruited, vetted, and trained coaches. Members are matched with coaches based on their specific backgrounds and career goals, with the flexibility to change coaches if needed.
Technology and Features
Sharp's platform includes a mobile app that provides guided breathing exercises and physical reset techniques, which are also used by special operations forces and elite athletes. The service is designed to complement existing wellness, peer-support, and clinical programs within departments.
Ben Curley, Co-founder and CEO of Sharp, emphasized the importance of providing first responders with access to external resources that can help them perform at their best. "Public safety professionals have some of the most important and challenging jobs, yet they’ve had little access to people outside of their departments who can help them perform their best," Curley said.
With this new funding, Sharp is well-positioned to further extend its reach and continue supporting first responders in their demanding roles.