[Denver, CO] – [08/24/2025] – THETECHMUSK=TTM: Serial entrepreneur Ari Block, from the Chicago Booth Angel Network Silicon Valley (CBAN), today announced a $500,000 investment commitment for teams winning the inaugural Smoke Eaters AI startup education and pitch competition. The program represents a pioneering initiative to bridge the gap between artificial intelligence innovation and public safety applications.
The Smoke Eaters AI competition is designed specifically for public safety professionals, including police officers, firefighters, search and rescue personnel, emergency medical services professionals, doctors, and nurses. The program welcomes all individuals dedicated to protecting, healing, and keeping the public safe, requiring no prior technical knowledge or business experience.
“The intersection of AI and public safety represents one of the most critical frontiers in technology today,” said Ari Block, serial entrepreneur and CBAN member. “First responders are on the front lines of our most challenging societal issues, yet they often lack access to the cutting-edge AI tools that could dramatically enhance their effectiveness and safety. This program aims to change that dynamic entirely.”
The competition will focus on developing AI applications for pre-mission intelligence gathering, real-time in-mission support systems, and post-mission data analysis. These applications address critical needs in public safety operations, where split-second decisions can mean the difference between life and death.
Block brings extensive entrepreneurial experience to the initiative, including a documented $80 million company exit and alumni status from both the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and Techstars. His background spans technology development, angel investing, and media production through his Story Samurai platform.
The Chicago Booth Angel Network Silicon Valley, comprising over 51 accredited investors, specializes in seed-stage technology investments ranging from $10,000 to $100,000. The organization has completed 19 documented investments and maintains a focus on supporting innovative technology companies in their early growth phases.
“Recent industry research shows that 90 percent of law enforcement professionals support AI adoption in their work,” noted Block. “However, there remains a significant gap between interest and implementation. Our program is designed to train public safety teams on AI technologies while simultaneously teaching them how to build sustainable businesses around their innovations.”
The Smoke Eaters AI program will feature a comprehensive curriculum covering AI fundamentals, business development, and pitch presentation skills. Participants will work with a panel of six experienced investors and industry experts with strong operational, financial, deep technology, and sales backgrounds who will serve as mentors and evaluators throughout the competition.
The program addresses pressing public safety challenges where AI can provide transformative solutions. These include predictive algorithms that can help prevent risk before they occur, AI-powered diagnosis tools for emergency responders, intelligent systems that optimize resource allocation, and automated threat assessment platforms for search and rescue operations.
Registration for the first Smoke Eaters AI cohort opens immediately, with the program beginning as soon as registration closes. The competitive format will culminate in a pitch competition where participating teams present their AI driven public safety solutions to the investor panel.
“We are not just investing money,” emphasized Block. “We are investing in the people who risk their lives to protect our communities. By giving them the tools and knowledge to harness AI technology, we can multiply their impact exponentially while creating sustainable businesses that benefit everyone.”
The initiative comes at a critical time when public safety departments across the nation are seeking innovative solutions to address staffing shortages, budget constraints, and increasingly complex challenges. AI technologies offer the potential to enhance efficiency, improve decision-making, and ultimately save more lives.
