Rogers startup Real Agent Guard has received a $250,000 seed investment from Little Rock's XCelerate Capital, the firm announced Friday.
Real Agent Guard developed a mobile-enabled personal security system for real estate agents. It was created by founders Justin Horner and Tim Brasuell in the aftermath of the murder last year of a central Arkansas agent.
The money will used to expand the firm's customer base and technology platform, according to a news release.
Horner and Brasuell also co-founded Politapoll, a startup that went through last fall's ARK Challenge accelerator in Little Rock. Politapoll is designed to connect constituents with their elected representatives.
Hornor took Politapoll through the 14-week ARK Challenge program, but pivoted just before the ARK's Demo Day to focus on Real Agent Guard, which launched in November. Since then, Politapoll has merged with Little Rock startup Civik.
The Real Agent Guard technology uses mobile apps for real estate agents to enhance their security while working alone or in remote locations, Hornor said. The company signed its first customers in January and now counts some of the largest real estate agencies in Arkansas as clients.
"We built Real Agent Guard to be a powerful, yet affordable, security solution," Hornor said. "Outside funding will allow us to keep Real Agent Guard priced well below competition while also delivering a world-class set of services. We will use the funding to expand our IT infrastructure so we can scale the system, as well as ensure agents and brokers are aware of the benefits of Real Agent Guard and how the app can keep them safe on the job."
Real Agent Guard offers a suite of security tools for real estate agents and brokers. Mobile apps keep the agency team connected, while video monitoring tools make it easy for agents to stay safe during an open house event and protect the homeowner's property, Hornor said.
How It Works
In the event of an emergency, Real Agent Guard broadcasts the real-time geo-location of the agent and makes it easy to see where the agent is located and share that location with authorities.
Hornor said the product is unique from competitors because it offers real-time tracking with photos that agents upload once they've logged into the system. The tracker tool kicks in the second a user misses a check-in time, triggers his or her PIN or hits the panic button.
Brasuell said the tracker tool prevents an assailant from manually logging an agent out or resetting the timer. Agents can also use the Real Agent Guard logo on social and professional profiles to deter would-be attackers who may be targeting them online, he noted.
"We're excited about forging this funding partnership with XCelerate Capital," Brasuell said. "The funding is important, but even more so is the hands-on mentoring and coaching the company will provide to us. We're looking forward to accelerating growth of Real Agent Guard and bringing this important product to more agents and brokers."
