SafeShowings taking part in Harbor Accelerator program

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SafeShowings app has been selected to participate in Cohort 11 of The Harbor Accelerator program.

The app was launched in April by Charleston Realtor Helen Hudson, who is an advocate for real estate safety. She said more than 100 Realtors have been murdered in the past decade.

Through the SafeShowings app, Realtors can capture an image of a potential buyer’s driver’s license. And if the Realtor is unable to end a showing, it will notify an emergency contact and call 911. The approach is meant to deter criminal behavior because the person who may intend to do harm will be trackable, according to a news release.

“It’s not going to always prevent a crime from happening, but it can deter it,” Hudson said.

The app has been listed as a safety resource for members of the National Association of Realtors. Plans for the app range from $9 per month to $99 per year.

The Harbor Accelerator program will provide Hudson with resources and support to grow her business, test the market and become viable. According to its website, the program is an intense curriculum led by entrepreneur mentors.

The 14-week program ends in November, and Hudson said it has been helpful.

“This is a great opportunity to work with and learn from members of the Charleston-area business community as well as network with like-minded startup business owners,” Hudson said in the news release. “I look forward to continuing my work in making a difference in the real estate industry, locally and beyond.”

Patrick Bryant, co-founder of The Harbor Entrepreneur Center, said mentors walk side by side with participants of The Harbor Accelerator throughout the program to keep them focused on the critical elements needed to grow their businesses.

“At the end of this program, we expect each company to know its next steps,” Bryant said. “We also connect participants to possible capital sources for continued growth.”

Hudson said she is using what she’s learning through the accelerator to spread awareness about the app and the need for safety regulations for real estate professionals. She said she hopes a law or policy is created that says Realtors must capture images of the license of each person who attends a showing. 

Other companies in Cohort 11 are SideGig, Heron Farms, LGND App, Tipalink, Cruzzle, and Straight to Art.