Motorola Acquires Yukon-Based AI Startup HyperYou
Motorola Solutions has acquired HyperYou, an AI startup that developed its early prototypes at Yukonstruct, a Whitehorse makerspace. The company built voice-AI technology that helps 911 centers filter non-emergency calls, freeing operators to handle urgent situations. Motorola announced the deal on April 9.
Founder Benjamin Sanders moved to Yukon in 2013 after selling his first startup. He joined a territorial innovation team, then helped launch Yukonstruct, which became the foundation for HyperYou.
How It Started
Sanders spent months in a phone booth on Yukonstruct's second floor testing early versions of the technology. Yukon University's Innovation and Entrepreneurship division provided a small grant to hire local developers while Sanders worked without salary.
The Yukon Venture Angels also invested in the company. Sanders called it a significant step for a territory still building its early-stage investment ecosystem.
The Problem It Solves
Emergency centers across North America are overwhelmed by non-emergency calls. These tie up operators and slow response times for genuine emergencies.
HyperYou's system detects when a situation escalates and automatically transfers callers to a 911 specialist. The company now works with major centers including Toronto and the San Diego County Sheriff's Office.
Why Motorola Made Sense
The scale of HyperYou's operations made a partnership with Motorola a logical next step, Sanders said. Motorola's infrastructure and reach allowed the company to expand faster than it could independently.
Sanders remains the only full-time team member based in Yukon, though the company brings staff north for retreats to maintain cultural ties to the territory.
What This Means for Yukon Startups
Sanders said the territory has the ingredients other regions lack: grants, workspace, and a local investor network. He pointed to his previous startup, which was adopted by the Yukon government before expanding nationally, as proof that government can accelerate local tech companies.
For founders considering starting in Yukon, Sanders offered specific advice: "Spend time at Yukonstruct, talk to the folks over at Yukon University. Connect with the Yukon Angel Network, too. Those are three big pieces that were really helpful for us."
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