RTV Group, the Saint John startup producing predictive analytics software to help fight drunk driving, is looking for about a half-million dollars in financing to get its initial product out the door.

It could take a big step in that direction tonight if it wins the New Brunswick Innovation Foundation’s Breakthru competition, which boasts a first prize of $192,000. If not, it hopes to raise the money by other means.

“Our target between now and the end of the year is to do about $500,000, which would get us to about four paid customers and one or two trials,” said Stephen Goddard, a Co-Founder of the company.

The fledgling company is one of five finalists for the Breakthru competition, the winner of which will be announced that the Breakthru Dinner in Fredericton, part of the city’s East Coast Startup Week.

RTV, which stands for Repeat Target Vehicles, is developing predictive analytics software that can identify for police departments people who are likely to drink and drive. The idea is to let them (and their families) know they have been identified so they will refrain from driving drunk.

The company is the brainchild of James Stewart, a former crime analyst now completing a PhD in information technology at University of New Brunswick in Saint John.  

Each RTV investigation begins with a call to 911, in which a citizen reports that he or she believes someone is driving drunk and gives the license plate number.  Using police databanks, the system looks up the owner of the car and runs checks on them, checking whether they have a history of anti-social behavior or a criminal record.

What few people understand is that most drunk drivers are repeat offenders, and that they are often associated with other crimes or misdemeanors. If the RTV system ticks enough boxes next to a suspect, it’s an indication he or she will likely drive drunk again. By warning individuals they are on the police radar, they will hopefully choose not to drive drunk, understanding the risk of being caught is too great.

The RTV founders are frequently asked (I asked it myself) if their software “profiles” people and could violate their civil rights, and their answer is a resounding no. The process begins with a 911 call, which triggers a police investigation – as should happen any time a citizen reports a possible crime. In the investigation, the police use the best tools they have on hand, which in this case is predictive analytics software. They don’t profile anyone but issue a warning in order to discourage a crime. 

Goddard said the company has had discussions with several possible users, and has contacted other groups that may be interested in supporting the product because part of their mission is battling drunk driving.  Even if police departments say they don’t have the money to pay for the technology, RTV is hoping these groups can help to fund the early adoption of the software.

The company needs some startup funds because it needs to write the code for the software. Not all of the $500,000 to launch the project needs to come from an equity investment as the company could find some funding in government programs. So one of the top three places in Breakthru would help substantially.

“If we don’t win we still hope to raise the money,” said Goddard, “because we think that this is something that should be in the police’s hands to combat drunk driving.”