Red Lightning

What Red Lightning does

Red Lightning is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2010 and headquartered in Mesa, Arizona, that mobilizes a network of Subject Matter Expert volunteers to address disaster aid and medical equity problems globally. The organization delivers disaster response logistics, operations coordination, and project management services to governments, humanitarian organizations, and disaster-affected communities across 16+ countries, including Haiti, Japan, Vanuatu, Nepal, the Philippines, the US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Turkey, Malawi, Zambia, Cameroon, Mauritania, Ethiopia, Indonesia, and Eswatini. Its portfolio of named services includes disaster response logistics, disaster communications (Starlink and SAT phone deployment), ultra-cold chain management for mRNA vaccines, hospital waste management consulting, smoke remediation for wildfire-affected homes, and a Lahaina surveying coordination program.

The organization's technical capabilities center on operational rather than software systems. Notable deployments include Ethiopia's first long-range medical drone network — using Swoop Aero Kite aircraft capable of 120 km flights with 3 kg payloads, extended to 240 km with battery swap locations — which delivered 6,936 vaccine doses in 44 flights to six hard-to-reach communities during a 30-day pilot; over 100 Starlink units deployed to Maui wildfire survivors; and an Ultra-Cold Chain Management training course developed with UPS Healthcare, available in English, French, and Arabic on Thinkific. Red Lightning has also trained 900+ supply chain workers across 10 countries and delivered 36 million COVID-19 vaccine doses across Africa through portable freezer and cooler box networks.

Red Lightning's business model is grant- and donation-funded nonprofit operations, with all direct services to beneficiaries provided free of charge by volunteer labor. Revenue streams include grants from The UPS Foundation and Gavi (joint US$1 million commitment for Ethiopia drone network through 2024), the Maui Strong Fund, UNICEF partnership funding, individual and corporate donations via PayPal and Kindful, and modest fee-based consulting services to governments and hospital systems on ultra-cold chain and hospital waste management. Strategic partnerships with The UPS Foundation, Salvation Army, Airlink, UNICEF, Gavi, Swoop Aero, and government agencies such as Ethiopia's EPSS and INSA underpin field operations, while the organization is founder-led by CEO Michael Shiffler and co-founder Craig Arnold with a 11-person core team supplemented by an extensive volunteer network.

Name

Red Lightning

Legal name

Red Lightning

Website

https://red-lightning.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Red Lightning is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that mobilizes Subject Matter Expert volunteers to deliver disaster response logistics, ultra-cold chain management, medical drone delivery, smoke remediation, and disaster communications to governments, humanitarian organizations, and disaster-affected communities across 16+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disaster Relief and Humanitarian Aid Services

akta.pro primary industry

Natural Disaster Preparedness & Recovery (Storm/Flood/Wildfire) (BPABANAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus & Resilience Programming (BPADAEAK)

Keywords

• Disaster relief services
• Humanitarian aid operations
• Ultra-cold chain logistics
• Medical drone delivery
• Smoke remediation services

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Grants and Foundation Funding: Red Lightning receives significant funding from The UPS Foundation for logistics, ultra-cold chain, and vaccine equity programs. Additional grants from Maui Strong Fund (Hawaii Community Foundation) support smoke remediation efforts. Grants fund specific projects and programs.
2. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Individual and corporate donations support disaster response operations. Donors can contribute via PayPal and the organization's Kindful donation portal. All donations support disaster relief and recovery programs.
3. Professional Services and Consulting: Red Lightning offers consulting services in ultra-cold chain management, hospital waste management, and disaster operations. They charge fees for government and hospital consulting engagements where Subject Matter Experts assess current practices, benchmark against global best practices, and create supply chain recommendations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Red Lightning is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that deploys Subject Matter Expert volunteers to deliver disaster response logistics, operations, and project management services, ultra-cold chain training and consulting, medical drone network operations, smoke remediation for wildfire-affected homes, and hospital waste management training. Field services are provided free of charge to disaster-affected communities and governments, while consulting and training engagements are delivered on a paid basis to ministries of health and humanitarian organizations.

Product overview

Red Lightning is a 501(c)(3) non-profit disaster aid and medical equity organization that offers a portfolio of service offerings rather than a unified software product. Their core services include disaster response logistics, operations coordination, project management, communications solutions (Starlink/SAT phones), ultra-cold chain management, hospital waste management training, and leadership training. They operate the Ethiopia Medical Drone Network for vaccine delivery, provide smoke remediation services for fire-affected homes, offer online training courses through Thinkific (Ultra Cold Chain Management and Healthcare Waste Management), and run volunteer assistance programs including the Kōkua For Lāhainā program and the Lahaina Surveying Coordination Program. They also provide Starlink and battery aid for hurricane relief. These services are delivered through strategic partnerships with organizations like The UPS Foundation, Salvation Army, Swoop Aero, and various government agencies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Disaster Response Logistics Services Complex logistical solutions for disaster relief including last-mile delivery to hard-to-reach areas, route planning, supply chain management, and reverse supply chain capabilities. Provided free to disaster-affected communities and delivered through volunteer deployments coordinated with local governments and implementing partners.
• Disaster Response Operations Services Leading operation plans following natural disasters, coordinating and executing relief efforts, assessing disasters, identifying response gaps, and collaborating with partners to implement solutions for underserved populations.
• Project Management Services Spearheading disaster aid and medical equity initiatives with project management and personnel coordination, leading own efforts and leading teams for other organizations.
• Disaster Communications Solutions Deploying Starlink units for Wi-Fi connectivity in remote disaster zones and providing SAT phones for situations where traditional satellite services may be unavailable, enabling vital information sharing and coordination.
• Ultra-Cold Chain Services Building ultra-cold chain training courses for supply chain workers and working with local governments to map supply chains, assess readiness gaps, and design operating plans for successful distribution of temperature-sensitive vaccines such as Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at -60°C to -80°C.
• Hospital Waste Management Services Training program on proper care of biohazardous waste and consulting services for hospital systems and governments, including waste management expert evaluation, benchmarking, and supply chain mapping.
• Disaster Aid Leadership Training Disaster Aid Training Program for Subject Matter Expert volunteers, leveraging private sector experience for the humanitarian sector, training experts in disaster zone deployment and providing in-person disaster response experience.
• Smoke Remediation Services Thorough cleaning process that removes harmful combustion particulates, soot, and odors from homes affected by fire, including safety inspection/testing for lead and asbestos, HEPA vacuuming, degreaser application, attic insulation removal, odor control, and post-remediation testing. Designed for homes affected by wildfire smoke damage.
• Ultra Cold Chain Management Training Course Online introduction course to ultra-cold chain management available in English, French, and Arabic, developed in collaboration with UPS Healthcare to address Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine distribution.
• Healthcare Waste Management Training Course Online introduction course to hospital waste management available in English, French, and Portuguese.
• Medical Drone Network Services Ethiopia's first long-range drone network for delivering medical items including vaccines to hard-to-reach communities, using Swoop Aero's Kite drones capable of flying up to 120 kilometers with 3 kg payload (extended to 240km with battery swap locations). Vertical takeoff and landing enables two-way delivery including diagnostic sample transport.
• Lahaina Surveying Coordination Program No-cost surveying services for homeowners impacted by the 2023 Lahaina fires, working in coordination with The Salvation Army, HCL, and implementing partners to expedite the surveying process through bulk batching.
• Kōkua For Lāhainā Volunteer Assistance Program Free volunteer labor assistance for Lahaina homeowners including lot clearing, debris removal, basic fence installation, yard work, and other non-licensed services for fire-affected properties.
• Starlink and Battery Aid Program Providing Starlink internet units and EcoFlow battery aid for those affected by hurricanes Helene and Milton, partnering with EcoFlow for battery distribution.

Quantifiable outcome

• 36 million COVID-19 vaccine doses delivered across Africa through ultra-cold chain programs
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core, key and supporting.

• The UPS FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Primary strategic partner providing funding, gift-in-kind transportation, portable ultra-cold freezers, vaccine carrying cases, and access to UPS Healthcare supply chain engineers. The UPS Foundation has provided financial support exceeding US$1 million for Ethiopia drone network continuation through 2024. Major funder for COVID-19 vaccine equity programs across Africa.
• Salvation ArmycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing operational partner in disaster responses since Haiti 2010 earthquake. Salvation Army provides lodging, logistics coordination, and volunteer support for Red Lightning deployments. John Berglund serves as Territorial Emergency Disaster Services Director coordinating with Red Lightning.
• AirlinkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational humanitarian logistics partner based in Washington, DC that coordinates flight logistics for volunteers and aid workers. Facilitated Taskforce Kiwi volunteer deployments to Maui wildfire recovery efforts.
• Taskforce KiwikeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew Zealand-based disaster relief organization that partnered with Red Lightning for Maui wildfire recovery. Previously connected in New Zealand where Red Lightning volunteers participated in drone piloting and aerial mapping training. First formal collaboration on US soil with multiple rotation deployments planned.
• Swoop AerocoreTechnology or IntegrationAustralian drone company providing Kite aircraft for Ethiopia medical drone network. Technical backbone providing drone technology, technical support, maintenance, and pilot training. Kite drones fly up to 120km with 3kg payload, extended to 240km with battery swap locations.
• Freight in Time Limited (FIT)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLeading local and regional 3PL and 4PL supply chain company with strong humanitarian sector track record. Operates drone network daily operations and maintenance. Previously improved shelf availability at Last Mile Health Facilities from 41% to 95% in partnership with EPSS.
• Ethiopian Pharmaceutical Supply Service (EPSS)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGovernment coordination and supply hub for clinic orders. Coordinates with healthcare clinics to determine medical supply needs, fulfills orders, and loads drones with required medical supplies for delivery.
• UNICEFkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for ultra-cold chain training programs in Cameroon, Mauritania, and other countries. Provided training coordination and freezer donations for COVID-19 vaccine distribution programs.
• PfizerkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided Subject Matter Expert John O'Sullivan (Retired VP Quality Operations) for ultra-cold chain consulting. Partner in COVID-19 vaccine distribution with approval for innovative distribution approaches to manage costs and enhance delivery capabilities.
• All Hands and HeartssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerVolunteer disaster relief organization partnering in Maui wildfire recovery efforts alongside Red Lightning's smoke remediation program.
• ToolBank USAsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides tools for volunteer disaster relief operations, supporting Red Lightning's recovery work in Maui and other deployment locations.
• Team RubiconsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerDisaster response organization partnered with Red Lightning for Maui wildfire recovery, bringing additional volunteer capacity and expertise.
• LIFT Non-Profit LogisticssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit logistics partner supporting Maui wildfire recovery operations.
• UPS HealthcarekeyTechnology or IntegrationCollaborated to develop Ultra Cold Chain Management training course available in English, French, and Arabic. Provided Subject Matter Experts including supply chain engineers for COVID-19 vaccine equity programs.
• Information Network Security Agency (INSA) of EthiopiacoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGovernment agency responsible for drone daily operations, maintenance, and piloting. Ensures medical supply transport and meets emergency requirements efficiently and safely.
• The Luke Commission (Eswatini)keyStrategic or Co-development PartnerMobile healthcare provider serving 250-400 patients daily where 33% of population is HIV positive. Received semi-permanent shipping container from Red Lightning for cervical cancer screenings and HIV detection/treatment.
• International Trachoma InitiativekeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Zithromax delivery program for Trachoma treatment in Ethiopia. Antibiotic used to treat leading cause of preventable blindness worldwide.
• Samaritan's PursesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided water specialist (hydrogeologist) for Vanuatu response and donated goods for Japan tsunami distribution. Long-time partner in disaster relief efforts.
• United AirlinessupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided air transportation support for volunteer and supply deployments to disaster zones including Maui wildfire recovery. Partnered with Airlink for logistics coordination.
• EcoFlowsupportingTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner for battery aid in Hurricane Helene and Milton relief efforts. EcoFlow batteries provided alongside Starlink units for connectivity and power in affected areas.
• PPG PaintssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerDonated paint for repainting the Lahaina Aquatic Center, part of community restoration effort with IUPAT District Council 50 handling painting work.
• GrapeCitysupportingTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner whose logo appears among Red Lightning's partners and sponsors, providing software or technology solutions for operations.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Direct Relief: Humanitarian aid organization focused on medical supply delivery, cold-chain logistics and emergency health response globally. Highly comparable to Red Lightning's medical-equity and cold-chain programs, including vaccine distribution to low-income countries.
• Team Rubicon: Veteran-led disaster response nonprofit that mobilizes volunteers for debris removal, home rebuilding and recovery operations. Direct operational peer of Red Lightning on the Maui wildfire response, where the two organizations partnered under the same umbrella.
• Samaritan's Purse: Christian humanitarian organization that runs disaster response, relief supply distribution and specialized programs (including WASH). Long-standing Red Lightning partner that provided a hydrogeologist for the Vanuatu response and donated goods for Japan.
• Airlink: Nonprofit that partners with airlines to transport humanitarian personnel and aid to disaster zones. Direct operational peer and active Red Lightning partner coordinating volunteer flights for Maui wildfire recovery.
• Water Mission: Nonprofit engineering organization that provides safe water solutions in disaster zones and developing countries. Comparable to Red Lightning's clean-water work in Vanuatu and Turkey, where Michael Shiffler was deployed to support Water Mission's response.
• All Hands and Hearts: Disaster relief nonprofit specializing in volunteer-driven rebuilding, debris removal and recovery for communities affected by natural disasters. Partnered directly with Red Lightning on Maui wildfire smoke remediation and recovery work.

Emerging players

• NetHope: Nonprofit consortium that delivers connectivity, data and technology solutions to humanitarian organizations and the communities they serve. Comparable to Red Lightning's Starlink/SAT-phone communications deployments for disaster-affected populations.
• Zipline: Drone-delivery company operating long-range medical supply networks in Africa and elsewhere. Most direct competitor/parallel player to Red Lightning's Ethiopia medical drone network built on Swoop Aero aircraft.

Broad incumbents

• International Rescue Committee: Major humanitarian NGO delivering emergency relief, health and economic recovery programming in conflict and disaster zones globally. Comparable mission focus on disaster and refugee response, but operates with a much larger permanent staff and budget.
• Mercy Corps: Large international humanitarian organization with global emergency response, food security and health programming. Operates in many of the same countries (Ethiopia, Nepal, Indonesia) as Red Lightning but at materially larger scale and with broader program scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/red-lightning-org
• Instagraminstagram.com/redlightning

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Red Lightning