Citizen

Citizen

Real-time safety alerts from 911 reports

Overview

Citizen provides a mobile app that delivers real-time safety alerts from 911 calls and user reports to individuals, families, and communities. The app notifies users within seconds about emergencies and nearby incidents, helping people avoid danger and stay informed. It also lets users broadcast live video or updates, connect with family and neighbors, and contribute to situational awareness. The product works by aggregating official 911 information and user-generated content to publish fast, local alerts, with options to share live video and messages. This makes Citizen different from others by emphasizing crowdsourced, real-time information and community-based safety, rather than relying solely on traditional emergency channels. The goal is to improve personal and communal safety by providing fast, accurate, location-based information that helps people react quickly and coordinate responses.

About Citizen

Simplify's Rating
Why Citizen is rated
B-
Rated B on Competitive Edge
Rated B on Growth Potential
Rated C on Differentiation

Industries

Data & Analytics

Consumer Software

Social Impact

AI & Machine Learning

Company Size

201-500

Company Stage

Series C

Total Funding

$126M

Headquarters

New York City, New York

Founded

2017

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • March 2026 U.S. expansion put Citizen into Denver, Las Vegas, San Jose, and more.
  • April 2026 Mexico launch opened a new international market with localized Android distribution.
  • Real-time alerts and Protect Mode fit families seeking immediate location sharing and situational awareness.

What critics are saying

  • Citizen's crime-alert model still depends on controversial surveillance, inviting city and civil backlash.
  • Sequoia reportedly stopped funding after a February 2023 pay-to-play proposal, signaling fragile capital access.
  • If incident accuracy slips, one wrongful alert can trigger regulator action and user churn.

What makes Citizen unique

  • Citizen's hyperlocal alert graph and live video remain hard for neighbors to replicate.
  • March 18, 2026 expansion into 15 U.S. markets widened its geographic moat.
  • April 14, 2026 Mexico launch added Spanish-localized public-safety coverage in three cities.

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Funding

Total Funding

$126M

Above

Industry Average

Funded Over

5 Rounds

Notable Investors:
Series C funding is usually for startups that are doing well and are looking for more money to fuel major growth, such as acquiring other companies, expanding into global markets, or launching new product lines. Investors typically include larger venture capital firms and private equity.
Series C Funding Comparison
Meet Average

Industry standards

$50M
$50M
Medium
$50M
Citizen
$62M
SeatGeek
$100M
Oura

Benefits

Stock Options - Competitive options packages.

Growth - Fireside chats with featured speakers, a weekly Q&A with the CEO, a monthly book club, and 100% reimbursement for work-related books.

Health Benefits - Citizen covers 90% of your health, dental, and vision care.

Time Off - For salaried employees, nine company holidays and unlimited paid time off. For hourly employees, 21 days of PTO and overtime eligibility.

Transit - Commute to and from the office with pre-tax commuter card benefits.

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

1%

1 year growth

0%

2 year growth

0%
PR Newswire
Apr 14th, 2026
Real-Time safety app Citizen expands international footprint with launch in Mexico.

Real-Time safety app Citizen expands international footprint with launch in Mexico. Apr 14, 2026, 10:34 ET Following its first international expansion into Canada, Citizen brings verified, real-time safety alerts, live video, and community-powered reporting to Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Tijuana. MEXICO CITY, April 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Citizen, the leading public safety app in the U.S., is proud to announce its expansion across three major cities in Mexico: Mexico City, Tijuana, and Guadalajara. Citizen uses proprietary, AI-powered technology to provide residents with real-time information about safety-related events, big and small. The app relies on verified sources and user-generated content to give members the information they need to make smarter decisions about their safety and the safety of their loved ones. People who download the Citizen app will have immediate access to real-time alerts, live video streams, and community reporting based on their exact location. Citizen also offers tailored safety features, including push notification controls, the ability to view historical incidents, one-tap access to Mexico's national emergency number (911), and Protect Mode, which allows users to share their real-time location with trusted contacts. The app is fully localized in Spanish. "After launching in major cities across the U.S. and Canada, we're excited to further expand our international footprint. Our expansion into Mexico marks a significant milestone in fulfilling Citizen's mission to bring essential safety information to people around the world." - Morgan Mathiesen, Head of Operations, Citizen Citizen's value was demonstrated firsthand earlier this year when civil unrest swept across Mexico following a major military operation in February 2026. The killing of Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as "El Mencho," leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, triggered widespread roadblocks, burning vehicles, and security incidents across multiple Mexican states, including Jalisco, Baja California, Quintana Roo, Guerrero, and Michoacán. As the situation developed in real time, Citizen tracked and verified the unfolding events, alerting users in impacted areas, aggregating verified updates on road closures and flight disruptions, and helping residents and travelers make informed decisions about their safety. Citizen is now available to Android users in Mexico on the Google Play Store. Citizen is committed to growing a global community of people protecting each other. Learn more about the app and download it here.

Sawyer County Airport
Apr 25th, 2025
[Hiring] Product Designer, Enterprise @Citizen

Citizen is the No. 1 public safety app in the U.S., with a mission to make the world a safer place.

AlleyWatch
Jan 10th, 2025
Fundraise Up Raises $40M Venture Funding

Fundraise Up, a fundraising platform for non-profits, has raised $40M in venture funding led by Summit Partners. Founded by Anton Isaykin, Peter Byrnes, and Yuriy Smirnov in 2017, the company has now raised a total of $52.1M in reported equity funding.

MVSKOKE Media
Nov 2nd, 2023
Citizen files complaints against Tulsa School of Arts and Sciences

Citizen files complaints against Tulsa School of Arts and Sciences.

The Times of India
Oct 26th, 2023
State searches for tree expert agency to assist civic bodies

Citizen activists in Goa have launched a tree survey using an Android app to combat unauthorized tree cutting in Panaji and Assagao.

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