our mission
…is to harness cutting-edge aerial mobility to revolutionize emergency medical response. By working closely with all stakeholders—emergency services, communities, and technology providers—we aim to deploy advanced solutions to significantly reduce response times, ensuring critical care reaches those in need faster. We are dedicated to transforming how communities access lifesaving resources, making rapid, reliable emergency response a reality for all.
Together, we can improve emergency medical outcomes and save lives.
Akute reduce response times enabling life-saving interventions when they matter most.
In underserved areas, average emergency response times can exceed 25 minutes.
In cardiac arrest emergencies, an Akute First Flyer can increase the chance of survival by 5x.
Our Team
Founder and President
Board Chair
Before Akute, he founded, lead, consulted and advised leading new electro aerial and ground mobility startups and blue chips around California and Europe in capacities as Co-founding CEO, Venture Partner, Technology Executive and GM.
Co-Founder and Aviation Director
Board Member
Army veteran and successful tech entrepreneur (Skyward acq by Verizon 2017) with over 3k hours flying helicopter EMS (HEMS) and still actively instructing in helicopters and airplanes. His work spans piloted and fully automated aviation, including collaborations with NASA on advanced air mobility (AAM) projects.
NICHOLAS DRAKE
Marketing Chair Board Member
Vice President of Global marketing for Google. He has more than 20 years of marketing and advertising experience, on the agency side at TBWA/Chiat/Day, and as CMO at major brands including T-Mobile and Quicksilver. Prior to joining Google, Nick served in several leadership roles at T-Mobile as a member of its Senior Leadership team including Chief Innovation Officer and Executive Vice President of Marketing & Experience (CMO). He started his career as a professional rugby player and England team representative and now lives in Malibu with his family.
Chief Robert Grand
Network Director
An active Battalion Fire Chief and paramedic with extensive experience in fire and emergency medical services. He has served with the Eugene Springfield Fire Service in Oregon, where he has been involved in various aspects of fire service management and emergency response. Always an early adopter of technology and a driver for innovation at every level of service.
Dr. Gary josephsen
Medical Director
An experienced Emergency Physician and Medical Director with a demonstrated history of working in the hospital and healthcare industry. He has served as the Emergency Department Director at McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center, where he has been instrumental in overseeing emergency medical services and ensuring high-quality patient care and bringing medical insight and oversight to the Akute project.
tom kuhn
Development Director
Seasoned business development leader with over 20 years of experience in securing grants and contracts. He has successfully obtained over $800 million in funding for various organizations. Tom's expertise includes strategic planning, program development, and partnership cultivation, making him a valuable asset to the Akute team.
Ken Karklin
Advisor
CEO of Pivotal, the company that designs and builds the Helix and Blackfly, the world’s first viable eVTOLs for EMS. Pivotal’s 15 years of development in advanced aerial mobility (AAM) make Akute’s mission possible… for the first time.
Uma Subramanian
Advisor
A trailblazer in urban air mobility and innovative transportation, with deep expertise in the aviation and aerospace industries. She has led transformative initiatives at companies like Aero Technologies, Inc., Voom Flights, and Airbus Group, driving advancements in next-generation mobility solutions. Uma's strategic vision and operational acumen make her an invaluable advisor to the Akute team.
karthik balakrishnan
Advisor
Karthik is a distinguished aerospace engineer and entrepreneur with a strong background in advanced aerial technologies. He co-founded Airspace Systems, focusing on autonomous drone systems, and has held significant roles at Kitty Hawk and Google [X], contributing to cutting-edge aviation projects. Karthik's expertise in unmanned aerial systems and innovation strategy makes him a valuable advisor to the Akute team.
CLAY KAZAN, MD
Advisor
LA County Fire Medical Director.