From Bureau to Business: Launching the Ultimate Global Safety App скачать в хорошем качестве

From Bureau to Business: Launching the Ultimate Global Safety App

Find Ellie Pikula and Vigilant Here: 🚀 Vigilant Website: govigilant.app 💼 Ellie Pikula on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ellie-p-236776223/ Ironis Insights sits down with Ellie Pikula, Co-Founder of Vigilant, to explore her transition from federal law enforcement to startup founder and how her background in intelligence shaped the creation of a full-spectrum safety app. A former FBI intelligence analyst and Special Agent who later worked in intelligence roles at the State Department, Ellie shares how mentorship, mission-driven work, and firsthand exposure to global risk influenced her entrepreneurial path. Ellie walks through her journey from interning with the FBI in college to serving on a violent gang task force, and ultimately transitioning back into intelligence work. While working in government, she and her co-founder identified a gap in the consumer safety market: most safety apps offered fragmented features that created noise rather than meaningful protection. That realization became the foundation for Vigilant. The conversation dives into what “full-spectrum safety” really means. Vigilant combines vetted global threat alerts, encrypted communication, an SOS feature, travel safety guidance, and an AI-powered safety agent trained on government best practices. Unlike competitors that rely heavily on user-generated alerts, Vigilant prioritizes analyst-vetted intelligence to reduce misinformation and panic. Ellie explains why quality of information matters more than volume—and why more alerts do not automatically equal more safety. A major differentiator is the app’s global travel functionality. Users receive embassy information, State Department guidance, registration links for the STEP program, and real-time updates on political unrest, natural disasters, or violent events—tools typically known only to government professionals. Ellie emphasizes that travelers often lack situational awareness abroad, and centralized, reliable information can make a critical difference. The episode also highlights the realities of building a startup. As a non-technical founder leading a tech company, Ellie discusses the challenges of product development, fundraising, finding founder-market fit, and balancing rapid execution with long-term vision. From launching in November 2025 to targeting 10,000 paid users in 2026, she shares the disciplined yet optimistic mindset required to scale. Throughout the conversation, one theme stands out: intentionality. Whether in federal investigations or consumer safety technology, clarity, credibility, and accountability matter. Vigilant is built to provide trusted intelligence—not noise—so users can make informed decisions at home and abroad. What You’ll Learn: How Ellie’s early mentorship influenced her decision to join the FBI What it was like transitioning from Special Agent to startup founder Why most consumer safety apps create noise instead of clarity What “full-spectrum safety” means in a digital-first world How vetted intelligence differs from user-generated alerts Why misinformation during crisis events can create unnecessary panic How the app integrates embassy resources and State Department travel guidance What an AI safety agent trained on government best practices can provide The realities of founder-market fit and building a product pre-launch Why startup leadership feels like “choose your own adventure” decision-making How Vigilant plans to scale to 10,000 paid users in 2026 Vigilant is designed to give individuals and families reliable, analyst-backed safety intelligence, encrypted communication, and travel-ready resources in one unified platform—helping users stay informed, connected, and prepared wherever they are.