When emergency medical care is required in the U.S., the first instinct is to call 911. But in Kenya, the only option is to call independent ambulance companies, some of which could be hours away. Enter Flare, an app that links callers in Kenya to a nationwide network of ambulance operators, dispatching the nearest one in the shortest time possible. For about $24 a year, subscribers have 24/7 access to more than 500 ambulances, enabling a rapid response. Flare’s American co-founders, Maria Rabinovich and Caitlin Dolkart, plan to expand the program to other countries. “No matter where you are, or who you are, emergency help should be just minutes away,” says Rabinovich. —Aryn Baker
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