Prime Minute Raises $15M for Disaster Response Innovation

A new venture, Prime Minute, is emerging from stealth with a significant $15 million pre-seed funding round, aiming to revolutionize disaster response by applying defense-grade operational discipline to natural catastrophes. The funding was led by Eclipse, with participation from 8VC. This capital injection will fuel the development of advanced systems designed to tackle the escalating frequency and intensity of events like wildfires, floods, and infrastructure failures.

The impetus for Prime Minute stems from the stark realization that modern society, despite its technological prowess, remains ill-equipped to handle large-scale disasters. The founders observed critical failures in response during recent catastrophic wildfires, where established systems faltered under pressure. This gap highlighted a critical need for proactive, engineered solutions rather than reactive improvisation. The company's vision is to become the 'resilience prime,' akin to prime contractors in aerospace and defense, integrating technology, infrastructure, and capabilities into a unified response framework.

Prime Minute is building a tactical, systems-level approach to threat assessment and rapid intervention. The company's methodology draws parallels with military operations, emphasizing speed, precision, and strategic clarity in chaotic environments. This operational philosophy is being translated into tangible technological solutions. The initial focus is on wildfire response, a sector that inflicts an estimated $424 billion annually in damages, evacuations, and recovery costs across the U.S., and has led to significant insurance market disruptions.

The company's foundational team comprises veterans from military special forces and intelligence units, alongside seasoned entrepreneurs with experience in building mission-critical technology. Key figures include co-founders Ronen Korman and Itai Mendelson, who, alongside Lior Susan of Eclipse, conceptualized the venture. Other core team members include Ovadia Malhan, Gabe Sganga, and Joey Fennell, bringing a wealth of expertise in defense, aviation, firefighting, and emergency management.

Prime Minute's first product, the Precision-Guided Suppression Unit, is designed to operate effectively even in extreme conditions where traditional aerial and ground crews cannot. This system integrates AI-driven mission analysis, real-time intelligence gathering, and precision aerial suppression capabilities. The company plans to deploy prototypes for field evaluation in Colorado later this year, targeting the state's significant wildfire challenges. This strategic move allows for real-world testing and refinement of their innovative approach.

The market for disaster resilience solutions is substantial and growing, driven by climate change and increasing urbanization in vulnerable areas. Traditional emergency services often struggle with the scale and speed required by modern disasters. Prime Minute's defense-inspired model offers a compelling alternative, promising enhanced preparedness and more effective mitigation. The successful pre-seed round signals strong investor confidence in this novel approach to a persistent global challenge.