Latest news with #VernonO'Donnell
Axios
14 hours ago
- Business
- Axios
Exclusive: Logistics safety startup Voxel raises $44M Series B
Logistics safety startup Voxel closed a $44 million Series B led by NewRoad Capital Partners, CEO Vernon O'Donnell tells Axios Pro exclusively. Why it matters: It gives San Franscisco-based Voxel three years of runway to reach breakeven or accelerate growth and raise again, its CEO says. How it works: The software integrates into existing security cameras, using AI to identify in real time — and increasingly predict — workplace hazards. Such scenarios include shelf integrity, forklift operation, employee movements or aisle spills that could present safety concerns. While worker safety is the core business case, the software's capabilities extend to productivity and efficiency, O'Donnell says. State of play: Nearly 3 million people die in workplace incidents each year globally, according to the International Labour Organization. Worker compensation, increased insurance premiums and a toll on morale stem from such incidents, hitting companies' annual bottom lines. Zoom in: Voxel counts 14 Fortune 500 customers, six of which have signed contracts in the last 120 days, the CEO says. One Fortune 50 customer changed the entire loading and unloading process for a more than 1 million-square-foot distribution center based on Voxel's recommendations, he says. Adopters across various sectors include Albertsons, Dick's Sporting Goods, Americold, AGI, the Port of Virginia and Berry Global. What they're saying: "We're seeing ... a hard ROI: reduction in worker's comp claims, reduction in OSHA fines, reduction in lost days," O'Donnell says. "Their speed of using AI to then be able to classify, 'is this an unsafe act or not?' and then alert leadership to take action — that's what really sold us," said Chris Sultemeier, NewRoad Capital Partners operating partner and former Walmart EVP of logistics. Friction point: Union workers have sometimes objected to video monitoring they consider invasive.
Associated Press
5 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Voxel Raises $44M in Series B Funding to Transform Workplace Safety with its AI-Powered Platform
Backed by 147% year-over-year growth and adoption by Fortune 500 companies, Voxel is scaling its real-time safety platform across high-risk industries. SAN FRANCISCO, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Voxel, the AI company revolutionizing workplace safety and risk, today announced it has raised $44 million in Series B funding led by NewRoad Capital Partners with participation from current investors Eclipse, Rite Hite, Tokio Marine, and MTech as well as HG Ventures and Whitestone. This round brings the company's total funding of $61 million to date. Voxel will use the funding to accelerate R&D and deepen its AI capabilities—enhancing real-time computer vision models and expanding data insights. The company will also invest in growing its team of industry experts to ensure Voxel's customers don't just benefit from cutting-edge AI solutions, but also decades of applied experience in industrial environments. Despite most companies having a heavy focus on improving safety, 2.78M workerslose their lives every year to work-related incidents globally—a stark reminder that traditional safety approaches fall short. Voxel helps organizations prevent accidents before they happen by identifying potential hazards and unsafe behaviors in real-time, enabling supervisors and safety managers to take immediate action. By integrating directly with existing security cameras to detect unsafe behaviors and operational inefficiencies autonomously, Voxel makes proactive prevention possible at scale. 'We're developing AI to support the workers performing demanding jobs day in and day out—on warehouse floors, in factories, in ports–really any industrial environment,' said Vernon O'Donnell, CEO of Voxel. 'Leaders don't need more dashboards or things to do on a daily basis: They need tools that drive action, improve training, and keep teams protected in a way that is part of their daily workflow. Our deep commitment to understanding our customers' operations is why they see up to an 80% reduction in high-risk behaviors just months after deployment.' Deployed by companies like Dick's Sporting Goods, Americold, AGI, Port of Virginia, and Berry Global, Voxel is becoming the trusted partner for leading enterprises across logistics, retail, warehousing, and manufacturing. Beyond best-in-class AI, Voxel's safety platform consolidates AI-generated insights, giving teams clear visibility into emerging risks. This allows safety, operations, and HR professionals to address issues before they result in injuries—fundamentally shifting workplace safety from reactive response to proactive prevention. Voxel's growth is supported by strong performance across key areas of the business: 'Voxel is solving a problem every operator understands—how to keep people safe while running complex, high-velocity environments,' said Chris Sultemeier, Operating Partner at NewRoad Capital Partners and former EVP of Logistics at Walmart. 'Their platform brings real-time visibility to the places it's been missing for too long. The team has built something that works, and the market is ready for it.' 'Voxel has fundamentally shifted how we think about safety and operations. With real-time insights, we're not just reacting to incidents—we're preventing them. It's helped us build a stronger safety culture while driving meaningful efficiency gains. Voxel isn't just a vendor—they're our AI partner, and our partner for the future,' said Drew Kofeldt, Chief Safety Officer, AGI. 'Voxel brings the kind of proactive insight our clients have been looking for with actionable data that helps prevent losses, strengthens safety programs, and ultimately reduces the total cost of risk,' said James D'Errico, CSP, National Leader, Risk Control at Gallagher. To learn more about Voxel, book time with our team. About Voxel Voxel is revolutionizing workplace safety with its AI-powered site visibility platform, designed to help organizations identify and mitigate risks in industrial environments. Using existing cameras, Voxel transforms basic video footage into actionable insights, enabling organizations to proactively make workplaces safer and more effective. Voxel partners with businesses across industries such as warehousing, manufacturing, distribution, and insurance. By equipping businesses with the tools to identify risks before they happen, Voxel powers safer, more effective work environments. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Voxel
