Wildfire
Wildfire, originally a campus safety alert app, evolved into a social news platform, providing real-time updates and community engagement tools across 200 universities.
Founders
Wildfire was founded during the senior year at UC Berkeley. Initially conceived as a safety alert app for colleges, Wildfire evolved significantly from its original scope.
History
Founded during the senior year at UC Berkeley, Wildfire started as a safety alert app focused on crime and safety alerts at college campuses. Over six years, the app sent 65 million alerts to nearly 1 million users. In 2021, Wildfire joined Opendoor. The company raised $3.1 million in venture funding and launched at 200 universities. Wildfire received accolades, including being ranked in the Top 5 in the News Category and being selected for Forbes 30 under 30 in 2020.
Services
Wildfire initially provided crime and safety alerts for college campuses. It later expanded its services to include various local community engagement features such as finding events, making friends, and joining study groups. The app also provided real-time coronavirus updates during the COVID-19 pandemic. Over its lifespan, Wildfire's services have evolved to better serve the needs of college communities and local neighborhoods.
Industry
Wildfire operates in the consumer industry, specifically within the social sub-sector. The company focuses on enhancing local community engagement and safety through its app. Initially targeting college campuses, Wildfire has expanded to become a social news app catering to broader local communities.