Can fighting fires become safer and more effective? Yes, naturally.

Turning first-hand firefighting experience into an important new product

The Opportunity

You already know that firefighters put their lives at risk in the line of duty. But their risk is not just from fire, but from the firefighting chemicals they are exposed to in the process. In addition, toxic firefighting chemicals can leach into municipal groundwater and forests, putting all wildlife at risk. The team at FireRein, veterans of the firefighting industry, were determined to help address this global issue. 

The Challenge

FireRein had a unique formulation, derived from food grade bio-based products, that was highly effective in suppressing fire. There was interest from the firefighting community, but industry needed validation and proof of the product’s effectiveness and ability to be easily and cost-effectively integrated into firefighting procedures and protocol. The time and effort to conduct trials and educate the industry about this new approach required capital that, like most start-ups, FireRein didn’t have. 

NPC’s Solution

NPC provided FireRein with $150,000 through its Investment Fund to extend their runway through the validation and commercialization phase. With the testing and education and marketing approach in place, FireRein went on to establish key contracts for their one-of-a-kind firefighting solution. They also expanded to industrial markets including rail and mining, and to consumer markets with their other product, Hotworx – a temporary fire prevention coating used during cutting, grinding, soldering and welding that forms a barrier between heat sources and flammable surfaces.