Evolv Technology Forms Organization for Weapons Screening System Donations
- By Matt Jones
- September 08, 2021
Weapons detection security screening solutions provider Evolv Technology has announced the creation of Give Evolv LLC (GiveEvolv), which promotes the company’s mission of making people and public venues safer, according to a press release. GiveEvolv will provide need-based, free donations of the company’s weapons screening systems to U.S. schools around the country. The ultimate goal of the program is to curb the recent wave of gun violence in schools.
“At Evolv, our vision is a safer world for people to work, learn and play. We are committed to democratizing security, and GiveEvolv does just that,” said Peter George, Evolv Technology CEO. “By granting state-of-the-art technology to schools that cannot otherwise afford it GiveEvolv will help keep students and educators in areas most affected by gun violence safe and focused on teaching and learning, as they should be.”
According to a press release, more than 256,000 students have become victims of gun violence during school hours since the Columbine High School shooting in April 1999. The year 2018 saw 29 school shootings that killed 113 people. In 2019, there were 45 school shootings. There have been 14 school shootings since March 2020, and there have been a total of 296 mass shootings in the U.S. during 2021.
GiveEvolv is currently receiving its funding from NewHold Investment Corp., a sponsor of Evolv in its recent SPAC transaction. Future funding is expected from Evolv, its employees and other donors. Evolv has also formed a seven-member advisory board of senior executives and directors from Evolv and NewHold, as well as other industry experts, to make sure that grants reach the most appropriate educational institutions.
“Evolv is paving the way for the entire industry, proving that companies can do well by doing good,” said Kevin Charlton, CEO of NewHold Investment Corp., who also serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Evolv and the advisory board of GiveEvolv. “As part of our SPAC merger with Evolv, NewHold is proud to be able to contribute to this very important mission and provide initial funding for GiveEvolv.”