Max Keenan and James Liu have had a remarkable journey as entrepreneurs, from organizing files to managing salon bookings to aiding in emergency response. Their latest endeavor, Aurelian, has secured $14 million in funding to utilize AI and voice technology in assisting 911 call centers with non-emergency calls.
The two co-founders began their entrepreneurial path after graduating from the University of Chicago and raising funds for their initial venture, Needl, in 2022. Despite joining the Y Combinator accelerator, they realized the need for a shift in focus towards more meaningful work.
This realization led them to delve into conversational AI technology in 2023, initially exploring salon booking automation before pivoting towards assisting 911 call centers. Their software aims to streamline non-emergency call responses, allowing call center staff to prioritize urgent situations.
Since its launch in May 2024, Aurelian has made significant strides in modernizing call centers, with several agencies utilizing their product across the U.S. The technology has already demonstrated its efficiency during emergency situations, such as the recent storm in the Seattle region.
The Series A funding round was led by NEA, with support from original investors like Liquid 2 Ventures and Y Combinator. The team’s perseverance in finding a valuable application for AI technology has garnered praise from industry experts.
Keenan emphasizes the importance of aligning business goals with personal excitement and energy. The fulfillment of working on a meaningful project with enthusiastic customers has been a driving force behind their success with Aurelian.
