The VALIDATE Accelerator KeeVeeve team is building an AI-native security system that can identify an extensive range of abnormal behaviors and activities that can endanger safety and security standards in indoor and outdoor areas.
This effort is spearheaded by Mahshid Ghasemi and Jeremy Johnston, both Columbia University Ph.D. candidates in electrical engineering.
Through the Accelerator, KeeVeeve has received support from the Center for Smart Streetscapes and Columbia Lab-to-Market Accelerator Network which provide the foundation for students and faculty at CS3 partner institutions to create entrepreneurial ventures based on their research.
The 2025 application cycle is open now, inviting undergraduates, graduates, postdocs, faculty, and alumni from every CS3 institution to participate. Find the application form here.
At the 2024 CS3 Innovation Summit, KeeVeeve earned a prestigious Ignition Award of $10,000 to continue their efforts. Completion of the 2025 cohort of the Accelerator program also makes teams eligible for the National Science Foundation (NSF)’s I-Corps Teams program, which may include up to $50,000 in grant funding.
Streamlining Data to Benefit the Public
KeeVeeve uniquely leverages existing city edge-cloud servers and cameras to visualize live traffic data on an anonymous platform.
The product is an interactive map with application programming interface (API) for technologies like autonomous vehicles, smart traffic lights, and smart street lights to connect to for increased safety.
Their work builds on collaborations with Columbia’s WiMNet (Wireless & Mobile Networking) Lab and the local COSMOS Testbed.
Since joining the spring ’24 Accelerator cohort, KeeVeeve has developed a prototype of the product and begun conducting demos. The team is also continuing their customer discovery efforts and will soon present at Columbia Technology Ventures’ Pitch Day, presenting to a crowd of fellow researchers, founders, and investors.
Looking forward, the project is on path to enhance the safety of cities.