Sondersafe

Sonder operates an on-demand support network for personal safety and mental health, delivered through a dedicated mobile app backed by a 24/7 support centre and a network of in-person response officers. The service spans preventative safety and psychological support through to responses to acute mental crisis and situations involving risk of physical harm. App features include risk alerts, geo-location and a direct line to the company's round-the-clock operations centre.

The support centre is staffed by people trained in emergency response and mental health first aid, with capabilities described as covering complex problem solving and medical triage. In-person response officers with emergency services experience can attend a member, provide emotional support, escalate to other support services and, in certain cases, supply essentials. The company positions the service as multilingual and rapid-response, connecting an individual to a network of professionals within 20 minutes, and as bridging the gap for people who need help but whose situation does not warrant an emergency triple-zero call.

The company is headquartered at 834 Elizabeth Street, Waterloo, NSW, Australia, and maintains both a physical office and a remote-friendly working model. Named executives and founders referenced in sources include co-founder Chris Marr, Chief Financial Officer Ryan Kaveney, and Head of Education Joanna Storti.

Business model

Sonder sells subscription access to its support network, combining software (app with alerts and geo-location), a staffed 24/7 support centre and in-person responders. It serves both individual members and organisations, which purchase the service to support employees, students and mobile or remote staff.

Subscription pricing for members, described on the company's site as starting from $1 per day, alongside organisational partnerships covering employees and student cohorts.

Traction

Reported a spike in service uptake as organisations focused on safety culture during the COVID-19 pandemic, with welfare checks on employees and students, quarantine assistance and mental health support; the CFO cited significant new customer wins and expansion with existing customers. The company received several Australian business and innovation awards in 2019.

Latest developments

Media engagement included Sydney Morning Herald coverage of its first-responder network ambitions, a Mentored with Mark Bouris podcast interview with co-founder Chris Marr, and The PIE Perspectives discussion of coronavirus and student mental health featuring Head of Education Joanna Storti.