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SafeCallUp: A Voice for Survivors, a Tool for Change
Sometimes the best ideas don’t start in a boardroom – they begin in those moments when you just know things could be better…
That’s exactly how Kristy Gallagher came up with SafeCallUp, a discreet, voice-activated safety app designed to support survivors of domestic violence and coercive control.
Working as a domestic violence officer, Kristy saw first-hand how difficult it was for victims to be believed and to stay safe. “I’d leave work knowing someone was still in danger and wishing I could do more,” she explains. That frustration sparked a determination to find a new way forward.
Turning Experience Into Action
Kristy didn’t come from a tech background. In fact, she admits technology was never her strong suit. But she leaned into the learning curve, joining accelerators like EmpowerHer and Plus Eight, attending seminars with Westpac, and of course Enterprising ME. She has also connected with mentors who could guide her journey as a founder.
“There were plenty of mistakes,” she laughs. “I even paid for a prototype that wasn’t right. But every lesson made the idea stronger.”
Today, SafeCallUp is more than just an app – it’s a vision for how technology can protect and empower people in their most vulnerable moments.
What SafeCallUp Represents
The app’s discreet design and voice-activated feature mean help can be reached without raising suspicion. Kristy hopes it will give survivors a sense of safety, dignity, and most importantly, the belief that their stories matter.
Advice for Other Founders
Like many Kickstarter Challenge entrants, Kristy has learned a lot along the way. Her advice to other women starting impact-driven ventures?
- Be passionate. If you don’t love the work, it will be hard to keep going.
- Do your homework. Understand your unique value and the space you’re operating in.
- Learn constantly. Seek out accelerators, mentors, and communities who can teach you.
- Don’t rush funding. “Pitching to investors is like proposing marriage,” Kristy says. “You want the right partner, not just the first yes.”
Why Stories Like This Matter
For Kristy, every small win – from an invitation to pitch, to an encouraging email from someone outside her network – is proof that her idea resonates. “When people who don’t know you believe in your vision, that’s what keeps you going.”
SafeCallUp is still in development, but Kristy’s journey is already inspiring other women to take the leap, trust their instincts, and build something that matters.
The Kickstarter Challenge exists to spotlight founders just like Kristy. Women with bold, impact-driven ideas who aren’t afraid to learn, adapt, and dream big. If you’ve got a vision of your own, now is the time to back yourself.
