9 Startups Fighting Human Trafficking

Companies Fighting Human Trafficking

1. Marinus Analytics

• Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
• Founder(s): Cara Jones, Emily Kennedy 
• Founded In: 2014
• Funding: Convertible Note, $1.8 Million
• Investors Include: BNY Mellon, National Science Foundation (NSF) Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)

Perhaps the biggest startup in the sector is Marinus Analytics. Marines Analytics is fighting human trafficking through their flagship product Traffic Jam. The tech helps law enforcement by using AI to recognize and find victims of human trafficking. They also have several other useful tools like Child Protection which gives social workers more time to focus on families rather than having to input data using an app.

2. Thorn

• Location: San Francisco, California
• Founder(s): Ashton Kutcher, Demi Moore 
• Founded In: 2012 
• Funding: Grant, $345,000
• Investors Include: Patrick J. McGovern Foundation, Sahsen Ventures 

Thorn is a technology-based startup that is partnering with local organizations, police, and companies to identify areas of need and develop technological tools that can help provide solutions. Their flagship product, Spotlight, has already helped over 17,000 kids get out of human trafficking. Using AI and other forms of technology, Thorn is able to identify victims faster and gives police the efficiency they need to catch predators before it’s too late.

3. Made for Freedom

• Location: St. Louis, Missouri
• Founder(s): Dawn Manske 
• Founded In: 2011
• Funding: Grant, $50,000
• Investors Include: Arch Grants

The problem with identifying and helping children of human trafficking is the process they must go through in order to reintegrate into normal life. To help with this issue, Made for Freedom gives victims an opportunity to create goods in exchange for employment and pay. The company helps victims get back on their feet in a time when processing trauma is hard to overcome. 

4. AnnieCannons

• Location: San Francisco, California
• Founder(s): Laura Hackney, Jessica Hubley
• Founded In: 2015
• Funding: Seed, $370,000
• Investors Include: Y Combinator, Patrick J. McGovern Foundation

AnnieCannons is modernizing the ideas Made for Freedom uses to give victims of human trafficking an opportunity to work in the tech sector. The startup provides three main components of rehabilitation, including a boot camp, an incubator, and a mediator for long-term projects. Victims of human trafficking can learn technology and business as well as create their own projects, and AnnieCannons will help broker deals with major clients.

5. DeliverFund

• Location: Dallas, Texas
• Founder(s): Nic McKinley, Sean Fennema
• Founded In: 2014
• Funding: Grant, $1.1 Million
• Investor Include: Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund, American Endowment Foundation, PayPal Giving Fund 

There are perhaps no better-qualified founders to create DeliverFund than a team of former CIA, NSA, and Special Operations experts. The team has created one of the largest databases to help law enforcement identify victims in a matter of hours instead of weeks. DeliverFund then trains law enforcement to use the tech themselves and is available for advising. 

6. Ulula 

• Location: Toronto, Canada
• Founder(s): Antoine Heuty, Cornelius Graubner, Manu Kabahizi
• Founded In: 2013
• Funding: Seed, $4.1 Million 
• Investors Include: Marigold Capital, Working Capital, Good & Well 

Ulula is a software and analytics company that specializes in creating tools for worker engagement and supply chain transparency. The company’s platform enables organizations to gather real-time data and feedback from workers, helping to identify and address labor rights issues like potential cases of forced labor or human trafficking. Ulula’s technology includes multi-channel communication tools like SMS, voice, and web-based surveys that allow companies to directly engage with workers in their supply chains — even in remote or challenging environments.

7. React Mobile

• Location: Seattle, Washington
• Founder(s): Grant Wallace, Kirk Dickinson, Rob Bangerter, Robb Monkman
• Founded In: 2013
• Funding: Convertible Note, $10.4 Million
• Investors Include: Keiretsu Capital, Brady Corporation

React Mobile is positioned as a panic button startup that works with hotels and other organizations to install the panic button system to create more safety. This plays into human trafficking by using the panic button to alert management that a possible human trafficking situation has been sighted. With supported training around identifying human trafficking victims, the panic button is a better solution to raise awareness and keep perpetrators from slipping through the cracks.

8. Veritone 

• Location: Irvine, California
• Founder(s): Chad Steelberg, Ryan Steelberg
• Founded In: 2014 
• Funding: Grant, $392.8 Million 
• Investors Include: US Department of Justice, Acacia Research, Miramar Ventures 

While not initially developed to fight trafficking, Veritone, an artificial intelligence (AI) company, has developed powerful tools now being used to expedite investigations and combat trafficking through tech. The company’s AI platform, called aiWARE, includes facial recognition and object detection capabilities that can be applied to analyze large amounts of visual data quickly. Law enforcement agencies have used this technology to scan through images and videos from various sources, helping them identify potential victims of trafficking who may appear in online advertisements or recovered media. This AI platform also can detect specific objects, scenes, or text that might be associated with trafficking activities. 

9. Polaris Project 

• Location: Washington D.C. 
• Founders(s): Derek Ellerman, Katherine Chon
• Founded In: 2002
• Funding: Grant, $350,000 
• Investors Include: Patrick J. McGovern Foundation, Twilio.org, Sahsen Ventures 

The Polaris Project, often simply called Polaris, is a leading nonprofit organization in the fight against human trafficking and modern slavery. It operates the US National Human Trafficking Hotline, which serves as a critical lifeline for victims and survivors across the country. Polaris employs a data-driven approach, using information gathered from the hotline and other sources to identify trafficking trends and develop targeted strategies for prevention and intervention. 

The organization works on multiple fronts, including policy advocacy, direct victim services, and public awareness campaigns. Polaris also collaborates with law enforcement, government agencies, and other non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to strengthen the collective response to human trafficking. The Polaris Project’s efforts extend to training programs for service providers and the development of resources to help businesses ensure their supply chains are free from forced labor.