Dillon Abend founded 3rd-i Technology Incorporated after personally experiencing the dangers of late-night runs in bear-prone areas of New Jersey. To feel safer, he would call his mom or friends while navigating these stretches, which inspired him to envision an app that could share his location and surroundings in real-time. This idea further evolved during his time at the University of Miami after he discovered the widespread issue of rideshare-related assaults. His focus shifted towards enhancing connectivity and safety for both passengers and drivers, incorporating features tailored to these experiences into 3rd-i. The team soon realized that this software could be used for a multitude of purposes and markets, leading them to extend into the B2B and SaaS business model.

The app’s development benefited from collaboration with influential advisors, including founders and executives from major technology and security companies, as well as feedback from over 50 University of Miami students. Guidance and contributions to the development of 3rd-i include: the Founder of Ring Doorbell, a Co-Founder of Google Drive, rideshare founders and CEOs, wealth management founders, sorority and fraternity presidents, military officials, police chiefs, private security companies, university board members, as well as representatives from NJ state and county. These efforts have resulted in over 70 iterations of the app, demonstrating a comprehensive approach to addressing personal security across various scenarios in an interface that users want. 3rd-i now aims to protect and revolutionize connections between users through their 3rd-i App and works with companies to integrate their proprietary software, further elevating their capabilities.