Amika Mobile Sees Fast Growth in its Emergency Alert Technology

Massacres in the U.S., such as the shooting rampages at Columbine High School in 1999 and Virginia Tech in 2007, have inspired stiffer federal regulations governing emergency preparedness. The need to comply with rules that require emergency mass-notification systems in schools, government buildings, and elsewhere is driving a market that grew 37 percent in 2008, to $420 million, and 29 percent in 2009, to $570 million, according to research firm Gartner.

A pioneering startup poised to benefit from the push is Canada’s Amika Mobile. Founded in 2007, the Kanata (Ont.)-based company’s technology can send detailed alerts to mobile phones as well as smartphones, laptops, and other devices connected to a campus or office Wi-Fi or local area network. Through deployments in buildings -- as well as partnerships with vendors that integrate communication systems or sell security hardware -- Amika co-founder and chief executive officer Suhayya Abu-Hakima estimates that her 12-person company’s revenue will increase from $500,000 this year to $11 million in 2013. She plans to hire around 40 additional employees over the next few years. Abu-Hakima spoke recently with Bloomberg.com contributor Antone Gonsalves about the industry, her business, and the advantages of being a woman leader. Edited excerpts of their conversation follow.