This connected security startup’s AI cameras detect suspicious activities and dispatches guards in minutes

Security through surveillance has grown manifold in India during the last decade. Both consumers and business enterprises are looking for robust security solutions for their safety. Technology has made deep inroads into various security aspects across the globe with emerging technologies like AI, ML, data science, computer vision and other related areas powering various applications. Bengaluru-based 56 Secure is one such connected security provider that has developed its own AI-enabled cameras to detect suspected activities and provide quick intervention through its physical security guard system. In a conversation with Bizz Buzz, Sacheth Kadam, Co-Founder & Head - Product and Growth, 56 Secure said that the company is receiving sound response from customers with nearly 3,000 properties getting security cover through its solution. He said AI-enabled camera, real time tracking, locational intelligence and automation make its service offerings unique as compared to its competitors. The company is confident of covering 10,000-15,000 properties by end of this year. After raising $10.5 million in two rounds, the company is also looking at raising further capital to fuel its growth

Can you provide a brief overview about the operations of 56 Secure? Also, please highlight some aspects of your initial journey.

The name 56 refers to the Bengaluru pin code 56. We started in 2020. Prior to this, we both co-founders were in Ola, leading the company’s smart mobility initiative around telematics and computer vision technology. During Covid, we saw an opportunity of building something for the larger market and security was an interesting market. It was a very large industry but run in an archaic way. That was the reason we started 56 Secure to bring in modern day technology like location services, computer vision and AI (artificial intelligence)-enabled cameras for building a truly connected security services. What we essentially do is we have our dedicated patrolling guards and we have our AI-enabled cameras, which we manufacture internally apart from our technology stack. We have our own app through which we provide security services to businesses, families, individuals and neighbourhood. Among businesses, we provide services to enterprises like warehouses, housing societies, and other segments. Leveraging technology, we ensure that all our security services are automated, and modernised. We also provide physical security as a subscription, which is tightly coupled with our platform.

We started our operations in 2020 and 2021 and we started to expand in multiple neighbourhood. In 2022 and now in 2023, we are working with a lot of enterprise customers. Our area of operation is in Bengaluru.

Why did you enter into security segment after the Ola stint? Can you throw some light into this aspect?

As far as technology is concerned, it was adjacent. From security stand point, my family has some background of providing physical security. My father is a career army person. So, we have a fair knowledge of how security system operates, what are the areas for improvement and related aspects. That is the reason why we built this company by entering into the security space.

How has been the journey in the last three years? Can you provide a brief overview on this aspect?

It has been a roller coaster ride. What is more important the kind of impact, we have created. We are able to provide interventions in less than two minutes. Our unique selling proposition (USP) is the SoS. With our app, anytime, anywhere, we are able to provide interventions. We are able to provide people with medical support during emergency, we have been able to provide security assistance. We have even been able to provide assistance for domestic violence. We have prevented double digit number of thefts which we have actively detected on camera and immediately prevented as well. This is we count as success. In the enterprise space, we are building cutting edge around camera technology to really scale up security enterprise operations.

Can you elaborate a bit on the SoS operations that you provide?

When a user presses a SoS, a guaranteed call dispatch goes from our central war room within 20 seconds. We understand the State of emergency. That’s why, immediately and automatically, a ground unit such a guard immediately goes to the location. The guard provides the interventions. Whenever there is a need for escalation to the law establishment, we do that. And the guards are not on our payroll. They are integrated through a third-party partner agency. They have to be legally compliant from compliance standpoint.

Usually, surveillance deals with a lot of privacy issues of clients. What steps have you taken to secure privacy of your customers?

Privacy is something, we take very seriously. All the user data and information are handled by the authorised persons in the company. We value a lot on privacy.

How technology is being leveraged by the company to provide connected security services?

We use real-time tracking, locational intelligence, and dispatch. We continuously optimise the location of the guards to reduce the response time. We use data science, deep learning algorithm to deliver such services. This is what we call as connected security and this is our USP. We extensively use AI technology in our cameras. With these cameras, we are able to detect multiple types of objects, which can be a human or vehicle. A bunch of use cases are fed into the AI system in the camera through which it is able to detect which is an unauthorised entry or action.

What are your expansion plans in coming years? Are you looking at going beyond Bengaluru in the coming quarters?

We intend to go multi-city next year. We will be looking at top four-five cities across India. We are confident of replicating the Bengaluru model in all other cities as the construct is more or less the same except Mumbai. Currently, we are present in about 3,000 properties and we intend to reach to 10,000-15,000 properties by the end of this year. We have deployed about 7,000 AI cameras now.

Are you adequately funded now? Are you looking at raising more capital in the near future?

In 2021, we did a seed round led by Nexus Venture Partners. Then, we raised funds through a series A round in March 2022. In total, we have raised $10.5 million so far. We are looking at raising further capital and that is on the horizon. We will be doing a smaller ticket size fund raise.

Where do you stand as far as profitability is concerned? Can you throw some light into this aspect?

Currently, eight out of 12 neighbourhoods, we have achieved unit profitability. On dedicated set ups, we are also unit profitable. In two years time, we will be able to be EBIDTA positive. The idea is to raise capital and start expanding.

As far as employee count is concerned, we are right now 135 members, who are on roll. We have around 500 security guards who work for us through third party vendor. Right now, our focus is on the B2B (business to business) segment and B2C is slightly muted from our strategic stand point. As we expand, we will collaborate with property consultants, channel partners, asset management companies, tech parks, builders and other related parties for growth.