resqme
resqme is a privately held US manufacturer of compact emergency escape and personal safety tools, including a keychain-sized spring-loaded window breaker and seatbelt cutter, sold direct-to-consumer, through major retailers, and via B2B custom-branding programs serving fleets, first responders, and corporate safety buyers across 70+ countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1998
- HeadquartersSanta Barbara, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What resqme does
resqme, Inc. is a Santa Barbara, California-based manufacturer of compact emergency escape and personal safety tools, founded in 1998 by Laurent Colasse and operating as a privately held, founder-controlled company with 11-50 employees and a wholly-owned European subsidiary (resqme Europe) in Nantes, France. The company's flagship product is the resqme Car Escape Tool, a keychain-sized 2-in-1 device combining a spring-loaded tempered glass window breaker (requiring 12 lbs of intentional force and operating underwater) with a concealed stainless steel seatbelt cutter; each unit is individually tested and the line is TÜV and CSA certified. The product portfolio extends to the heavier-duty resqhammer, defendme personal safety alarms (120-130 dB), the alertme drowsy driver device, Whistles for Life survival whistles, the resqLite solar cranklight, and accessories including visor clips, dashboard mounts, and an escape training kit.
The business operates a hybrid go-to-market model: direct-to-consumer e-commerce through a Shopify storefront (resqme.com and resqme.fr), marketplace listings on Amazon and Walmart, specialty retail placement at Ace Hardware, REI Co-op, and Lee Valley, industrial distribution through Fastenal, Grainger, and Galls, and a B2B custom-branding program with a 200-unit minimum targeting fleet operators, corporate safety programs, and first-responder/military accounts. Retail unit prices range from $9.95 to $24.95 with multi-pack volume discounts and color customization, and co-branded enterprise sales (Stellantis, Siemens Gamesa, Sinclair Oil, Veolia) anchor the higher-volume tier. With 15M+ cumulative units sold across 70+ countries and adoption references including the US Army, US Coast Guard, US Marine Corps, AAA, and the American Red Cross, the company monetizes primarily through one-time unit sales rather than recurring contracts, supported by earned media presence on Good Morning America, ABC News, Netflix, Consumer Reports, and Wirecutter.
resqme firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- resqme
- Legal name
- resqme, Inc.
- Website
- https://resqme.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1998
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- resqme is a privately held US manufacturer of compact emergency escape and personal safety tools, including a keychain-sized spring-loaded window breaker and seatbelt cutter, sold direct-to-consumer, through major retailers, and via B2B custom-branding programs serving fleets, first responders, and corporate safety buyers across 70+ countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where resqme is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Santa Barbara
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
resqme business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Direct Product Sales (B2C): Direct-to-consumer sales through resqme.com and marketplaces (Amazon, Walmart, REI, Ace Hardware). Revenue generated from individual unit sales at $9.95-$24.95, multi-pack configurations (2-pack through 100-pack) with volume discounts, and color customization options.
- B2B Bulk & Custom Orders: Enterprise and fleet sales with 200-unit minimum order quantity. Custom branding (pad printing, laser etching), co-branded packaging, and volume pricing. Flexible fulfillment options including bulk shipping or distributed drop-shipment to individual employees/members.
- First Responders & Military Programs: Specialized sales programs for first responder agencies, military units, and government safety programs with customized ordering, branding, and fulfillment options.
- Wholesale & Distribution: Wholesale distribution through authorized distributors (Fastenal, Grainger, Galls, Blue Ridge Knives) and resellers (Ritz Safety) with standard commercial pricing and terms.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | resqme Car Escape Tool - $9.95 per unit |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | resqhammer Ultimate Escape Hammer - $12.95 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Whistles for Life - $9.95 per unit |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | defendme Personal Safety Alarm - $17.95 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | defendme Plus - $24.95 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | alertme Drowsy Driver Device - $12.95 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Accessories - $3.95-$5.95 |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | B2B Custom Branding - Volume pricing |
Go-to-market motion5 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels8 records
resqme product offering
Product offeringCore offering
resqme manufactures and sells the original 2-in-1 emergency car escape tool — a compact, keychain-sized device that pairs a spring-loaded tempered-glass window breaker with a concealed stainless steel blade seatbelt cutter — alongside a portfolio of complementary personal safety products (escape hammer, survival whistle, personal alarms, drowsy-driver alert, solar cranklight). Products are sold direct-to-consumer via resqme.com and through Amazon, Walmart, Ace Hardware, and REI, and to fleets, first responders, military, and corporate accounts via a B2B custom-branding program requiring a 200-unit minimum.
Product overview
resqme is a safety-focused company offering a portfolio of emergency escape and personal safety tools. The core product is the resqme® Car Escape Tool, a 2-in-1 device combining a spring-loaded tempered glass window breaker and a concealed seatbelt cutter, designed for over 25 years and manufactured in the USA. The product ecosystem includes related safety devices such as the resqhammer® Ultimate Escape Hammer for heavier-duty applications, the Whistles for Life® emergency whistle, personal safety alarms (defendme® and defendme® Plus), the alertme® drowsy driver alert device, and the resqLite solar survival light. Accessories include visor clips, dashboard clips, and a Car Escape Training Demo Kit for education. The company also offers B2B fleet solutions with custom branding and bulk pricing through its resqme B2B program.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- resqhammer®: Ultimate Escape Hammer, Seatbelt Cutter / Window Breaker - a heavier-duty escape tool for emergencies
- defendme®
- alertme®
- Whistles for Life®
- resqLite
Products and services
- resqme Car Escape Tool The original 2-in-1 emergency car safety tool: a spring-loaded tempered glass window breaker paired with a concealed stainless steel seatbelt cutter, in a compact keychain-sized form factor (0.6 oz) available in multiple colors and pack sizes from 1 to 100 units. Trusted by 15+ million drivers, TÜV and CSA certified.
- resqhammer Ultimate Escape Hammer A heavier-duty escape hammer with a stainless steel spike for breaking tempered side windows and a sharp blade for cutting jammed seatbelts, offered as a more robust alternative to the standard resqme tool.
- Whistles for Life A 120 dB emergency survival whistle whose sound carries up to 1–2 miles, designed for emergency signaling, available in multiple colors.
- defendme Personal Safety Alarm A 120 dB emergency alert siren personal safety alarm intended for personal protection and deterrence.
- defendme Plus Personal Safety Alarm A premium 130 dB personal safety siren alarm with added smart tracking functionality for emergency personal protection.
- alertme Drowsy Driver Device A 90 dB wake-up alarm device designed to alert drowsy drivers and prevent fatigue-related accidents.
- resqLite Solar Survival Cranklight An emergency illumination device powered by solar charging or manual cranking, providing off-grid lighting in survival situations.
- resqme B2B Custom Branding & Fleet Program Custom-branded resqme escape tools with a 200-unit minimum order; pad printing in up to two colors or laser etching for premium programs; co-branded packaging and insert cards; flexible fulfillment including bulk shipping and distributed drop-shipment to individual employees or members; typical 4–6 week production from artwork approval. Designed for fleet operators, corporate safety programs, and first-responder / military accounts.
Quantifiable outcome
- 15 million+ drivers protected worldwide with documented life-saving incidents averaging one save every 15 days
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use resqme
Customer profileNamed customers13 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
resqme technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
resqme partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
23 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- United States ArmycoreOfficial safety equipment provider for US Army vehicles and personnel. Military-grade certification and trusted by government defense operations.
- US Coast GuardcoreSafety equipment partner for US Coast Guard maritime operations. Endorsed for water emergency rescue operations.
- US Marine CorpscoreSafety equipment provider for US Marine Corps vehicles and personnel.
- American Red CrosscoreOfficial safety partner for emergency response operations. Trusted humanitarian organization for disaster relief and emergency services.
- AAA (American Automobile Association)flagshipTrusted and endorsed by America's largest automobile club association. AAA provides roadside assistance and has endorsed resqme for vehicle safety.
- National Park ServicecoreOfficial safety tool endorsement for National Park Service operations and visitor safety programs.
- LA Fire DepartmentcoreTrusted safety tool provider for Los Angeles Fire Department emergency operations.
- StellantisflagshipCorporate co-branding partnership with major global automaker (Jeep, Dodge, Ram, Chrysler, Fiat, Peugeot, Citroën). Custom branded products for corporate safety programs.
- Siemens Gamesa Renewable EnergyflagshipCorporate safety co-branding partnership for employee safety programs and corporate gifting.
- Sinclair Oil CorporationflagshipCorporate safety co-branding partnership for oil and gas industry safety programs.
- VeoliaflagshipCorporate safety co-branding partnership for utilities and environmental services company.
- HIT Promotional ProductscoreTrusted promotional products distributor partner for corporate safety programs and branded merchandise.
- FastenalcoreIndustrial distribution partner for B2B sales through Fastenal's extensive branch network serving commercial and industrial customers.
- GraingercoreIndustrial supply distributor partner serving commercial, industrial, and government customers with safety equipment.
- GallscorePublic safety equipment distributor specializing in gear for law enforcement, fire, and EMS professionals.
- Blue Ridge KnivesminorKnife and tool distributor partner for specialty retail distribution.
- Ace HardwarecoreMajor hardware retailer partner with physical store presence for consumer retail distribution.
- REI Co-opcoreOutdoor recreation retailer partner for adventure-focused consumer distribution.
- WalmartflagshipMajor retail partner with nationwide presence and e-commerce marketplace for broad consumer reach.
- AmazonflagshipPrimary e-commerce marketplace partner with brand store presence (resqmeInc) and product listings.
- Ritz SafetyminorSafety equipment specialist distributor for industrial and commercial safety products.
- United Hatzalah of IsraelcoreNon-profit emergency medical services partner. resqme donated 2,400 tools in August 2013. Largest independent EMS organization in Israel.
- ShopifycoreE-commerce platform provider powering resqme.com website, payments, and order management. Shopify handles hosting, data processing, and personalized advertising integration.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
resqme competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
resqme social profiles
Digital presenceresqme compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
resqme financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
resqme leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
resqme subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
resqme funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
resqme M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about resqme
What does resqme do?
resqme manufactures and sells the original 2-in-1 emergency car escape tool — a compact, keychain-sized device that pairs a spring-loaded tempered-glass window breaker with a concealed stainless steel blade seatbelt cutter — alongside a portfolio of complementary personal safety products (escape hammer, survival whistle, personal alarms, drowsy-driver alert, solar cranklight). Products are sold direct-to-consumer via resqme.com and through Amazon, Walmart, Ace Hardware, and REI, and to fleets, first responders, military, and corporate accounts via a B2B custom-branding program requiring a 200-unit minimum.
Is resqme a public or private company?
resqme is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was resqme founded?
resqme was founded in 1998. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is resqme based?
resqme is headquartered in Santa Barbara, United States, in the North America region.
How does resqme make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Direct Product Sales (B2C) is the primary driver. The others are B2B Bulk & Custom Orders, first Responders & Military Programs and wholesale & Distribution.
Does resqme have an API?
No public API is recorded for resqme.