Safetyknot provides safety and first aid training that is contextually relevant and accessible. Since launching in 2016, Katherine and her team have grown their service to include an app, which provides educational content and practical tips for families and construction workers; alongside online and in-person safety training. She joined the King’s Accelerator in 2022.
We spoke to Katherine to find out how she has developed Safetyknot alongside her studies.
Inspiration
During my 13 years working in Asia, I witnessed first-hand the devastating impact that injuries can have on individuals, families and entire communities. Shockingly, over 5 million lives are lost annually due to such incidents. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) believes that a significant portion of these tragedies could be avoided through preventative measures. Motivated by this belief, I established Safetyknot to support and empower communities in preventing injuries, before they happen.
Balancing
It’s been challenging to balance developing Safetyknot, alongside my PhD research. Fortunately, my PhD research closely aligns with the goals of Safetyknot, as both are focused on injury prevention. The academic side of things allows me to look into theory and best practice, which I can then directly apply to real-world scenarios through Safetyknot.
Accelerator
I decided to apply to join the King’s Accelerator because I wanted to elevate Safetyknot to the next level. I felt that the best way to do this was to be surrounded by experts and other people who were taking the same journey as me. Being a solo founder can be hard at times, so being part of a community really appealed to me. My accelerator journey was a roller-coaster of ups and downs, highs and lows, but ultimately a journey of learning, reflection and growth.