Region of Lifesavers

What Region of Lifesavers does

Region der Lebensretter e.V. (Region of Lifesavers), founded in 2017 and headquartered in Freiburg, Germany, is a non-profit registered association that operates a smartphone-based first responder alerting system for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. The core product is the Region of Lifesavers App 3.0 (iOS/Android), developed by Denmark-based FirstAED ApS, which integrates with German emergency control centres (Integrierte Leitstellen) to automatically alert medically qualified volunteer first responders within the immediate vicinity of a suspected cardiac arrest. The intelligent dispatch algorithm selects four responders, routes them via Google Maps, and assigns specific roles — CPR provider, CPR compressor, AED fetcher, or emergency services guide — based on real-time GPS, transport mode, and traffic-conditional travel time. The app also integrates the DEFI-map AED registry (15,500 defibrillators, 8,331 available 24/7), enabling automatic routing to the nearest publicly accessible AED capable of arriving before the ambulance.

The system is ISO 27001 certified, GDPR-compliant, and approved by the Baden-Württemberg Data Protection Commissioner. As of 2026 it covers 105 counties across 7 federal states and 22.22 million people, with 54,685 registered responders and a median arrival time of 3:05 minutes. The technology platform is reinforced by a bidirectional control centre interface, cross-regional alerting across redundant server infrastructure, and the FreiburgRESIST extension for crisis management situations.

The organisation is funded entirely through donations and public research grants — there are no fees charged to responders, control centres, or patients. Revenue streams include general donations, designated donations for responder equipment (PAX backpacks, RollBAGs from rettungszeug.com), AED site funding, and regional earmarked donations. Major institutional funding includes over €6.6 million from BMBF for the FreiburgRESIST project (four-year second phase of SIFOLife) and nearly €4 million from BMDV for the Rettungskette 5G project. The association operates through a wholly-owned non-profit subsidiary, lifesavers.digital gGmbH, and is managed by Managing Director Dr. Judith Joos under Chairman Prof. Dr. med. Michael Müller. Customer segments effectively include Integrierte Leitstellen (government control centres), founding partner NGOs (DRK, Malteser), fire brigades, and the co-founding hospital St. Josefskrankenhaus Freiburg.

Name

Region of Lifesavers

Legal name

Region der Lebensretter e.V.

Website

https://regionderlebensretter.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Region der Lebensretter e.V. is a German non-profit association that operates a smartphone-based first responder alerting system for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, connecting 54,685 registered medically trained volunteers across 105 counties to emergency control centres via its intelligent dispatch app.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

First Responder Alerting Software

NAICS

Telephone Answering Services (561421)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Telephone Interconnect Systems (7385)

akta.pro primary industry

Emergency Communications, Alerting & Public Warning Systems (HLAJAGAF)

Keywords

• First responder alerting
• Cardiac arrest response
• AED location registry
• Smartphone emergency dispatch
• Volunteer resuscitation network

Headquarters

HQ city

Freiburg im Breisgau

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations (General): The non-profit association (gemeinnützig) accepts general donations without designated purpose. These support the ongoing development and operation of the lifesaving system across all regions in Germany.
2. Donations for Responder Equipment: Targeted donations to equip first responders with specialist resuscitation backpacks (PAX), RollBAGs, high-visibility vests, and personal protective equipment. Donors can sponsor a complete responder kit.
3. Donations for AED Sites: Designated donations to finance publicly accessible AED installations, including 5 years of operational responsibility taken on by the association as a non-profit entity.
4. Donations for Regional Projects: Region-specific donations that are earmarked for use in a particular lifesavers region, supporting the continuation of operations in donor-funded regions.
5. FreiburgRESIST Project Funding (BMBF): The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) funds the FreiburgRESIST project with over €6.6 million over four years (second phase of SIFOLife programme). This supports the extension of the lifesavers app into crisis management use cases.
6. Rettungskette 5G Project Funding (BMDV): The Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) funds the Rettungskette 5G project with nearly €4 million as part of the government's 5x5G strategy. Total project volume exceeds €5 million.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels13 records

Core offering

Region of Lifesavers operates a smartphone-based first responder alerting system that connects emergency control centres with registered, medically qualified volunteer first responders to deliver CPR and defibrillation within 3-5 minutes of an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. The core offering is the Region of Lifesavers App 3.0 (iOS/Android) — powered by an intelligent dispatch algorithm and integrated with the DEFI-map AED location registry — which selects and tasks four responders per incident, routes one to the nearest available AED, and coordinates with incoming ambulance services. The service is delivered free of charge to responders, control centres, and patients, funded by donations and public research grants.

Product overview

Region of Lifesavers (Region der Lebensretter e.V.) is a non-profit association offering a smartphone-based first responder alerting system for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. The core product is the Region of Lifesavers App 3.0 — developed by FirstAED ApS (Denmark) — which integrates an intelligent dispatch algorithm, GPS-based routing (Google Maps), and the DEFImap AED registry to alert, route, and task four selected responders per incident before EMS arrives. The DEFImap AED location registry is embedded in the app and used to direct a responder to the nearest publicly available AED. The system connects to emergency dispatch centres via a bidirectional interface and includes a backend dashboard for administrators and dispatch centres. The portfolio extends to first responder equipment (PAX emergency backpack, RollBAG from rettungszeug.com), supplementary insurance (Allianz), and psychosocial aftercare (PFA). The system is backed by an interdisciplinary research group (AG Forschung) and ISO 27001-certified, GDPR-compliant infrastructure.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Region of Lifesavers App 3.0 Third-generation smartphone alerting app (iOS/Android) developed with FirstAED ApS (Denmark) that alerts registered medically trained first responders to nearby cardiac arrests, routes them via Google Maps, and assigns one of four tasks (CPR, CPR compressor, AED retrieval, EMS guidance) using the intelligent 3.0 dispatch algorithm. Integrated with the DEFI-map AED registry and connected bidirectionally to emergency control centres (Integrierte Leitstellen) for semi-automatic activation, live position tracking, and S3/S4 status reporting. Free for qualified first responders aged 18+ with BLS certification.
• DEFI-map AED Location Registry Integrated AED location cadastre (AED Standort-Kataster) embedded in the Region of Lifesavers app. Provides digital capture and management of AED locations including real-time availability, opening hours, access descriptions, and photographs. Used for routing first responders to the nearest publicly available AED during an emergency, and supports dispatch-centre-led telephone CPR by making AED locations available to callers. Contains 15,500 registered AEDs of which 8,331 are available 24/7.
• First Responder Equipment (PAX Emergency Backpack and RollBAG) Specially configured emergency equipment developed in partnership with PAX (PAX emergency backpack) and rettungszeug.com (RollBAG compact roll-top bag). Both include BLS equipment such as respirator mask, PPE, gloves, FFP2 masks, knee pad, and identification vest. Available for purchase or as a sponsored donation to equip registered first responders.
• Psychological First Aid (PFA) Post-Mission Support Post-mission psychosocial support offered to first responders after an emergency call-out. Access is provided directly through the app, and the association coordinates with existing regional PFA and psychosocial care structures.
• Supplementary First Responder Liability Insurance (Allianz) Nationwide supplementary personal liability insurance policy arranged by Region der Lebensretter e.V. with Allianz Versicherungs AG, covering all first responders alerted through the app including those without organisational affiliation. Applied subsidiarily to existing coverage.

Quantifiable outcome

• Median first responder arrival time of 3:05 minutes (2026), down from 3:15 in 2025 — the shortest published response times for smartphone-based alerting systems.
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

AI capability2 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered core, significant and minor.

• FirstAED ApScoreTechnology or IntegrationDanish technology company that developed the Region of Lifesavers 3.0 smartphone alerting app (iOS/Android) and provides ongoing software development. The intelligent alerting algorithm, GPS routing, and cross-regional alerting infrastructure are powered by FirstAED technology. Partner in the Rettungskette 5G project.
• PAX (Pax-Bags)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPAX developed the official 'Region der Lebensretter' emergency backpack in collaboration with the association. The backpack is specifically configured for resuscitation deployments, including storage for AED devices, protective equipment, and high-visibility vests. Sold through PAX's online shop.
• rettungszeug.com (simul8 GmbH & Co. KG)coreStrategic or Co-development Partnerrettungszeug.com (simul8 GmbH) developed the RollBAG compact resuscitation bag and high-visibility vest for lifesavers. Products are sold through the rettungszeug.com online shop. Alex Kraus represents rettungszeug.com within the lifesavers team.
• Allianz Versicherungs AGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAllianz provides a nationwide supplementary first responder liability insurance policy arranged by Region of Lifesavers e.V. Covers personal legal liability of all app-alerted first responders, including those without organisational affiliation. Applied subsidiarily to existing coverage.
• Deutsche Gesetzliche Unfallversicherung (DGUV)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatutory accident insurance for first responders during voluntary activities and travel to/from emergency sites. Covers personal injury and property damage, including legal matters related to third-party damage during first aid provision.
• University Medical Centre Freiburg (Zentrum für Notfall- und Rettungsmedizin)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe university's Centre for Emergency and Rescue Medicine provides data management support for the HEROES clinical study. Provides scientific credibility and access to academic research infrastructure for the association's evidence base.
• Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) — Institut für Operations ResearchsignificantStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing cooperation since winter semester 2023/24 with KIT's Faculty of Economics, Institute for Operations Research, Discrete Optimisation and Logistics (Prof. Dr. Stefan Nickel). Supervises Master's student research projects. Resulting research on GPS-based departure time measurement published in Resuscitation Plus 2024.
• Fraunhofer Institute for High-Speed Dynamics (Ernst-Mach-Institut EMI)significantStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner in the FreiburgRESIST project, contributing expertise in short-time dynamics for the integrated resilience management system.
• Centre for Security and Society (CSS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner in the FreiburgRESIST project, contributing security and society research expertise to the resilience management system development.
• City of Freiburg (Stadtverwaltung Freiburg)significantStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-initiator of the FreiburgRESIST project. Hosts through its DIGIT, fire protection, and public order offices. Also a founding member of the association itself.
• Freiburg Wirtschaft Tourismus Messe GmbH & Co. KG (FWTM)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the FreiburgRESIST project, contributing economic and event management expertise.
• Polizeipräsidium Freiburg (Freiburg Police Headquarters)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociated partner in the FreiburgRESIST project.
• DRK Kreisverband AalensignificantStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium partner in the Rettungskette 5G project, contributing emergency service operations expertise for the Aalen region pilot.
• Ostalb-Klinikum AalenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerClinical consortium partner in the Rettungskette 5G project.
• Hochschule AalensignificantStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic consortium partner in the Rettungskette 5G project. Responsible for scientific monitoring and evaluation through the Digital Health Management programme.
• Zentrum für Telemedizin Bad KissingenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTelemedicine expertise partner in the Rettungskette 5G consortium.
• o2/Telefónica DeutschlandsignificantTechnology or Integration5G network technology partner in the Rettungskette 5G project, providing the mobile network infrastructure for high-bandwidth, low-latency data transmission.
• DRF Luftrettung (Air Rescue)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociated partner in the Rettungskette 5G project, contributing air rescue expertise.
• Deutsche Gesellschaft Interdisziplinäre Notfall- und Akutmedizin (DGINA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociated partner in the Rettungskette 5G project, contributing emergency medicine society expertise.
• German Resuscitation Council (GRC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegion of Lifesavers is actively involved in the GRC's 'Smartphone Saves Lives' working group. Contributed to the 2021 and 2025 international resuscitation guidelines that recommend smartphone-based first responder systems. Co-developed the reporting standard for first responder systems and AED networks.
• German Interdisciplinary Association for Intensive and Emergency Medicine (DIVI)significantStrategic or Co-development PartnerContributing to the Resuscitation and Post-Resuscitation Care section of DIVI. Actively involved in scientific working groups.
• German Society for Internal Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine (DGIIN)significantStrategic or Co-development PartnerContributing to the Resuscitation and Post-Resuscitation Care section of DGIIN.
• European Resuscitation Council (ERC)significantStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegion of Lifesavers participates in the ERC's annual congress and contributes to guideline development. International guidelines from 2021 and 2025 recommend smartphone-based first responder systems.
• Landratsamt OstalbkreissignificantStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead consortium coordinator for the Rettungskette 5G project. Manages the multi-partner project and its integration into the Aalen region's emergency services.
• PAX (donation campaigns)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe association runs donation campaigns to equip first responders with PAX backpacks. Donors can sponsor a responder's equipment via the PAX shop, with the association coordinating fulfilment.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• GoodSAM: UK-based platform that alerts nearby registered responders (medical professionals and trained first aiders) to cardiac arrests and other emergencies via a smartphone app; directly comparable in functionality and operating model.
• MobileRescuers: Netherlands-headquartered first-responder alert platform deployed across multiple European countries; directly competes in the same smartphone-alerting category.
• PulsePoint: US-based non-profit operating a smartphone app that alerts nearby trained civilians and off-duty professionals to cardiac arrests and other medical emergencies; closest international analogue to Region der Lebensretter's first-responder alerting model.
• HartslagNu: Netherlands-based smartphone alert system that mobilises volunteer citizen responders for cardiac arrest; very similar operating model and integration with Dutch dispatch centres.
• Staying Alive: French-developed smartphone app that crowdsources citizen responders and AED locations for cardiac arrest; directly comparable functionality with global deployment footprint.
• Heartrunner (SMSlivräddare): Swedish SMS-based first responder alert system for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, integrated with Swedish dispatch centres; comparable use case and clinical evidence base to Region der Lebensretter.

Broad incumbents

• ZOLL Medical Corporation: Major global manufacturer of AEDs, defibrillators, and resuscitation technology with broader portfolios in EMS and connected resuscitation programmes; broad incumbent in the same clinical space.
• Philips HeartStart (Royal Philips): Large incumbent AED and resuscitation programme provider with established first-responder and public-access defibrillation programmes; overlaps in the cardiac-arrest response ecosystem but as part of a much wider healthcare portfolio.

Emerging players

• Everdrone: Sweden-based company operating AED-delivery drones integrated with dispatch systems; adjacent/compelling use case for reducing time-to-defibrillation that complements first-responter alerting.
• AEDmap (Defibrillator data registry): European AED location registry platform operating in multiple countries; partial overlap with Region der Lebensretter's DEFI-map AED cadastre functionality.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCqZrhK5rq9pO7N8R_t1-0Rw
• Facebookfacebook.com/regionderlebensretter
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/region-der-lebensretter-e-v
• Instagraminstagram.com/region.lebensretter

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Region of Lifesavers