SafetyCulture: Building a Safer, Smarter Future

In today’s economy, success no longer hinges solely on profit margins or rapid expansion and requires sustainability, purpose, and the ability to adapt. Businesses are expected to do more than deliver services or goods; they are expected to lead with integrity, respond to societal needs, and build cultures that reflect modern values. Employees want to feel part of something bigger, and customers are more likely to support brands that prioritize transparency and responsibility. In this climate, companies must constantly re-evaluate operational practices as staying competitive is no longer enough to remain relevant. Long-term resilience now depends on how deeply a company is willing to integrate people-first thinking into every layer of its operations.

At the heart of this shift lies a renewed focus on daily employee experience, safety, development, and engagement. This isn’t just about compliance or cost reduction but about empowering people to do their best work in environments where they feel secure and valued. Companies that embrace this approach often find that performance follows when safety, training, and quality are built into the workflow. What was once treated as a back-office concern now drives front-line excellence. Amid this transformation, numerous businesses have turned to innovative solutions that make these principles actionable, scalable, and data-driven. In this emerging space, one company has positioned itself at the center of the conversation, providing the tools organizations need to build safer, smarter, and more agile workplaces.

SafetyCulture’s path to the unicorn title began in 2004 at Luke Anear’s Townsville garage, where the idea for the company was born. What started as a simple vision to address safety concerns in industries like construction, manufacturing, and hospitality quickly grew into a broader mission and led to the creation of the company’s flagship product, iAuditor, a mobile app designed to streamline inspections and reporting processes. The early years were marked by a slow yet steady development process, but in 2013, SafetyCulture secured its first major funding round, raising $2.9 million from Blackbird Ventures. By 2015, the company had already gained traction, raising $6.1 million in a Series A round, which pushed its valuation to $47 million. The next few years saw SafetyCulture expanding with new offices in San Francisco, Kansas City, and Manchester and securing additional investments, including a $30 million Series B round in 2016. By 2018, the company had reached a $420 million valuation after raising $60 million in Series C funding backed by Tiger Global, Blackbird Ventures, and Atlassian co-founder Scott Farquhar. SafetyCulture’s growth accelerated significantly in 2020, when the company hit unicorn status after a $35.5 million Series C round, bringing its valuation to $1.3 billion. Following further investments by TDM, the company’s value reached $1.36 billion.

In 2021, the company raised $99 million in a Venture Capital funding round, which pushed its valuation to an impressive $2.3 billion, and with Insight Partners leading the investment, SafetyCulture hit a $2.3 billion valuation. SafetyCulture’s rapid growth continued, with the establishment of its headquarters at 72 Foveaux Street in Sydney and expanding into Amsterdam in 2022. Over the years, the company introduced several groundbreaking tools, including Incidentally, an app for incident reporting, and Edify, a training platform to upskill teams. As the company scaled, it advanced into AI-powered automation, predictive analytics, and real-time monitoring, pushing the boundaries of workplace safety technology. With nearly two million users worldwide and an ambitious target of reaching 100 million by 2032, SafetyCulture is preparing for its next major step. As the company contemplates a potential public listing in the US, founder Luke Anear announced he would step down as CEO, taking on the role of executive chair and remaining the company’s largest shareholder with just under a quarter of the business.

SafetyCulture has been defined not only by its software and funding achievements but also by its commitment to fostering a culture of growth and empowering its people. With over 900 employees worldwide, the company has continuously innovated, providing front-line workers with intuitive technology and offering businesses the resources they need to improve safety and streamline operations. Strategic acquisitions, such as EdApp, have expanded its reach and capability, strengthening the platform’s ability to serve customers globally. As Luke Anear transitions to his new role as executive chair, Kelly Vohs steps in as CEO, bringing a wealth of experience from leading Blackstone portfolio companies. He was set to join as company president, but as luck would have it, he is now needed as the CEO and is ready to lead SafetyCulture into its next stage. His sharp vision and leadership will guide SafetyCulture through its next chapter, keeping the company on its path of rapid growth and continued innovation. What started as a simple safety tool has evolved into a transformative platform reshaping workplace safety and operational efficiency worldwide. With each new milestone, SafetyCulture continues to revolutionize industries, proving that when you tackle real-world problems with determination and innovation, you exceed all limitations.