Robin Poon, Editor of Investor’s Digest of Canada publishes a recent summary of conversations and interviews with Robert Delamar. Below is the recently published article.
Reproduced in full by permission of Investor’s Digest of Canada
First Responder: revenue before 2021
By Robin Poon
First Responder Technologies Inc.’s promises to deliver its groundbreaking Sentinel suite of weapons-detection products and services before the end of this year, leading to its first revenue as international interest builds.
A Sept. 29 statement from First Responder declared that it remains on track to deliver the “Alpha” release of Sentinel on time despite COVID challenges. “This Alpha release will constitute the minimum viable product (MVP) necessary to generate the company’s first revenue from the sale of a product or service,” the statement explains.
Sentinel is made up of two main components. Sentinel WiFi detects potential concealed weapons by measuring the interference a person gives off when passing between two wifi field-emitting bollards, or posts. The second component of the system is Sentinel Vision, which First Responder demonstrated to its board of directors and advisory council in mid- August. Sentinel Vision uses a camera and machine learning to record and analyze live-streaming video to detect anyone openly carrying a weapon.
The company has continued to shore up its financial position to ensure smooth initial delivery and ongoing development.
On Oct. 6, it announced a non-brokered private sale of up to 10 million units priced at $0.10 each for potential proceeds of $1 million, consisting of one share plus a purchase warrant allowing the holder to buy an additional share at $0.20, for up to 24 months from date of issue.
Former federal Conservative public safety minister Stockwell Day, who had initially joined the project as an advisor, was named chair of the company’s board in July, adding to its cachet in the security world.
First Responder CEO Robert Delamar told Investor’s Digest in a July 30 telephone interview, “Having a former public safety and trade minister as your chair will open opportunities up.” The CEO added that First Responder will need to develop its technology and then inform the public of its existence before it can sell in earnest.
Following the first demonstration of Sentinel WiFi in the United Kingdom last March, First Responder signed an exclusive strategic partnership agreement with Sabre Global U.K., a subsidiary of U.S. defence contractor Sabre Global Services LLC. The deal permits Sabre to resell, maintain and service the Sentinel technology in the United Kingdom.
First Responder intends to serve customers from North America and European Union members on the Continent directly, treating them as its core markets
When Sabre Global U.K. receives the Alpha version of the Sentinel suite, First Responder will receive its first revenue. Assuming the former can meet sales expectations, Sabre will retain exclusivity.
“That’s the carrot of the deal,” says Mr. Delamar, who adds that First Responder hopes to release a “Beta” version of the Sentinel suite by 2021’s end.
More recently, Erin Campbell became First Responder’s newest director, joining the board at the end of September.
Mr. Delamar touted Ms. Campbell’s finance credentials and hinted at her future role in drumming up financing in a statement on her appointment Sept. 30.
“The company is pleased to add a person with 20-plus years of international public markets experience to our board of directors and audit committee,” he said.
“Ms. Campbell has distinguished herself in the political, venture capital and private equity worlds, and brings a deep understanding of capital markets, and the financing of technology development through Canadian public markets.”
Robin Poon is editor of Investor’s Digest of Canada.