Where You At (WYA), is a female-founded mesh technology platform designed to help make congested events safer. It uses indoor mapping and mesh hardware to help users stay connected in busy events, enabling people to communicate even when there is no phone signal. It has raised significant funding which has helped it make a huge impact in a short space of time.
WYA addresses a crucial problem: the challenge of losing contact with friends in busy spaces where poor signal often compromises safety and communication. Using a patented mesh system, the app offers real-time location sharing and communication, while event organisers can use it for optimising their space and anonymised footfall analytics. Users enjoy real-time location sharing, offline connectivity, safety alerts, and event-specific features. Event operators benefit from tools for crowd management, emergency communications, and targeted messaging.
The app has now established vital partnerships with influential venues including Drumsheds, Night Tales, Cardiff’s Y Plas, Rock City, XOYO and E1. With venues in Sheffield, Essex, London, Cardiff and Nottingham, they are also now supporting festivals and large scale spaces. This progress comes off the back of raising £2.5 million in pre-seed funding earlier this year in a round, led by Tony Mallin MBE of Star Capital, which has been used to further develop the platform with the goal of becoming
the “Google Maps for indoor spaces,” and after backing from Cambridge Enterprise, Cambridge Angels and leading angels including Ian Cook the former CEO of Colgate-Palmolive and Carolyn Dawson CEO of Founders Forum.
Since the funding and in the last three months, WYA has successfully developed a low-cost, scalable mesh network for connectivity and crowd data monitoring which results in a better value proposition for crowd management, and have launched a replayable video heatmap feature for operators. They have also added a Meeting Points feature enabling people to set meeting points inside venues and share them with their friends. Operators can have more flexible layout options and improved app functionality.
WYA has also partnered with the Night Time Industry Association and their efforts have been recognised with a patent for their offline connectivity system, an Ordnance Survey’s Innovation Award, the Downing College’s Prize and more at the EASI awards and highlighted in Forbes Under 30 for Social Impact.
Now the team is focussing on how their crowd management tool and communications capabilities could benefit venues with navigating Martyn’s Law. After a successful summer pilot, the app is also looking to partner with more festivals and cement further strategic partnerships.
Founded by Tamzin Lent, who was motivated by a personal experience of assault after losing friends at a nightclub, WYA has already been downloaded more than 50,000+ times and has made it into a Top 10 app in Apple’s navigation category.
James Slater, Venue Operations Manager at The Level (NTSU) says “WYA links people with their peers and strengthens the ability to keep contact with those that you’re out with, even when they’ve wandered away and phone signal is limited. Tamzin and the team have been a dream to work with, with a modern eye for developing customer and venue safety through their stunning app”.
Liam Cross, previously Night Group’s Senior Marketing Manager, says:
“WYA are an amazing team to work with. They are truly dedicated to making our nights safer for everyone. From the detailed research reports to seeking our sponsorship – they continue to go above and beyond”.
WYA stands out for its offline functionality and comprehensive safety features, with plans to expand into exhibitions, conferences, and arenas.
Author: Adam Parry
Adam is the co-founder and editor of www.eventindustrynews.com Adam, a technology evangelist also organises Event Tech Live, Europe’s only show dedicated to event technology and the Event Technology Awards. Both events take place in November, London.
