Partnership with Evolv Technology a Slam Dunk for Houston’s Toyota Center

Third Houston Pro Sports Team Using Evolv for Weapons Detection 

 

WALTHAM, Mass. – (January 24, 2024) – Evolv Technology (NASDAQ: EVLV), the modern security technology company transforming threat and weapons detection to create safer experiences, today announced it is providing weapons detection to Toyota Center, home of the NBA’s Houston Rockets. 

Toyota Center installed Evolv Express® systems earlier this month, making their debut when the Rockets hosted the Utah Jazz on January 20. The systems are used to screen fans entering the arena, which can hold more than 18,000 guests. The Rockets saw the success the Houston Astros (MLB) and Houston Texans (NFL) had with Evolv, and quickly jumped on the opportunity to get Express in place after the NBA recently started to allow applications for this technology. 

“We are excited to partner with Evolv Technology to enhance our fan experience while maintaining the safety of our arena,” said Doug Hall, general manager and senior vice president of Toyota Center. “This partnership is focused on utilizing cutting-edge technology to create a safer, faster and better screening process for our guests as they enter Toyota Center.” 

Evolv Express uses sensor technology combined with artificial intelligence to pinpoint and distinguish everyday items from potential threats, such as a phone from a firearm. Fans can walk through at normal speed without always stopping for individual security checks, preventing the typical backups at venue entry caused by metal detectors and manual wanding. Toyota Center is the seventh NBA arena to partner with Evolv to screen fans, joining, among others, Ball Arena in Denver.  

 “There is no greater indication of Evolv’s success than to have customers recommend the technology to each other the way they did in Houston,” said Jay Muelhoefer, Evolv Technology’s chief commercial officer. “We’re thankful for Toyota Center’s partnership and humbled that with the addition of the arena to our roster, close to 50 professional U.S. sports teams now use Evolv.” 

Since the launch of Evolv Express in 2019, Evolv has screened more than 1 billion people. Toyota Center is part of a growing list of teams and sports facilities in the United States and around the world using Evolv Technology as part of their safety plans. 

 

About Evolv Technology 

Evolv Technology (NASDAQ: EVLV) is transforming human security to make a safer, faster, and better experience for the world’s most iconic venues and companies as well as schools, hospitals, and public spaces, using industry leading artificial intelligence (AI)-powered weapons detection and analytics. Its mission is to transform security to create a safer world to work, learn, and play. Evolv has digitally transformed the gateways in places where people gather by enabling seamless integration combined with powerful analytics and insights. Evolv’s advanced systems have scanned more than a billion people since 2019. Evolv has been awarded the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) SAFETY Act Designation as a Qualified Anti-Terrorism Technology (QATT) as well as the Security Industry Association (SIA) New Products and Solutions (NPS) Award in the Law Enforcement/Public Safety/Guarding Systems category. Evolv Technology®, Evolv Express®, Evolv Insights®, Evolv Cortex AI®, and Evolv Extend™ are registered trademarks or trademarks of Evolv Technologies, Inc. in the United States and other jurisdictions. For more information, visit https://evolvtechnology.com

 

Forward-looking Statements 

Certain statements in this press release may constitute “forward-looking” statements and information, within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that relate to our current expectations and views of future events. In some cases, these forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “potential,” “continue,” “is/are likely to” or other similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, some of which are beyond our control. In addition, these forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to future events or our Company’s performance and are not a guarantee of future performance. Actual outcomes may differ materially from the information contained in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including, without limitation, the risk factors set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended on December 31, 2022, that was filed with the SEC on March 24, 2023, as may be updated in other filings we make with the SEC, including our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended on September 30, 2023 that was filed with the SEC on November 9, 2023. These statements reflect management’s current expectations regarding future events and operating performance and speak only as of the date of this press release. You should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee that future results, levels of activity, performance and events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements will be achieved or will occur. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. 

 

Media Contact: 
Alexandra Smith Ozerkis 
aozerkis@evolvtechnology.com 

 

Investor Contact: 
Brian Norris 
bnorris@evolvtechnology.com 

Healthcare Leaders Turn To New Screening Technology To Address Workplace Violence

Concealed weapons detection develops safer experiences for nurses and doctors as well as visitors and patients  

WALTHAM, Mass. – (January 23, 2024) – Evolv Technology (NASDAQ: EVLV), the modern security technology company transforming threat and weapons detection to create safer experiences, continues to see growth in the healthcare sector as hospital leaders add advanced weapons detection to their safety plans.  

With over 70% of workplace violence taking place in a healthcare setting and the majority of emergency physicians saying violence in the emergency department harms patient care, the need to address staff safety has become paramount for many hospital administrators.   

Evolv added over a dozen new healthcare customers in the second half of last year, including Parkland Health, one of the largest public hospital systems in the United States, Windsor Regional Health, the 15th largest hospital in Ontario, and the University of Missouri Health Care. Today, Evolv’s Express® concealed weapons detection system, which uses advanced sensors and AI to distinguish everyday items from threats as people move through security at the pace of life, is being used in more than 250 hospital buildings to screen over 400,000 hospital visitors every day, compared to just 40,000 a year ago.   

David Musyj, president and CEO of Windsor Regional Hospital said the Express scanners, which were installed in October, have proven to be a huge success since they’ve been installed with over 1,000 weapons being detected so far. “We have successfully stopped a significant number of dangerous items from entering our facility with this new system. Protecting our providers and working to create a safer environment enables the best possible patient care.”    

Windsor Regional Hospital’s emergency room operations manager Lisa Gawdunyk, RN added, “I can positively say that not only have we seen noted improvements to our recruitment and retention of staffing in the emergency department, but also improvements to overall staff morale. They feel supported and safe. Patients and families have also been appreciative of the steps WRH is doing to ensure their safety.” 

“Since we’ve installed the Express systems in June, we’ve stopped over 500 guns and 200 knives from entering our facility,” said Brian Wade, director of security at Temple University Health.  “We are trying to provide a safe environment for everyone who comes into our hospital and Evolv has been an active layer in our security plan.”  
“We had a lot of ED staff telling us they were very concerned about safety. They wanted to be able 
to take care of patients and not worry about their safety. When the ED nursing staff found 
out that we were putting the Express systems in place, they were very excited,” said David Hall, manager of security services at Southern Ohio Medical Center.  

“As business leaders today, we are constantly challenged to look at new ways to create environments of safety from a cultural, physical, psychological, and technology perspective,” said Michael Dowling, president and CEO of Northwell Health in New York. “Our people are our number one investment. Creating safer environments for them to collaborate and do their best work is essential.” 

In addition to hospitals, Evolv’s Technology is used by more than 600 customers worldwide, including over 40 major league sports teams, schools, iconic venues, arenas, and leading theme parks. Evolv Express has screened more than 1 billion people. 

About Evolv Technology  

Evolv Technology (NASDAQ: EVLV) is transforming human security to make a safer, faster, and better experience for the world’s most iconic venues and companies as well as schools, hospitals, and public spaces, using industry leading artificial intelligence (AI)-powered weapons detection and analytics. Its mission is to transform security to create a safer world to work, learn, and play. Evolv has digitally transformed the gateways in places where people gather by enabling seamless integration combined with powerful analytics and insights. Evolv’s advanced systems have scanned more than a billion people since 2019. Evolv has been awarded the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) SAFETY Act Designation as a Qualified Anti-Terrorism Technology (QATT) as well as the Security Industry Association (SIA) New Products and Solutions (NPS) Award in the Law Enforcement/Public Safety/Guarding Systems category. Evolv Technology®, Evolv Express®, and Evolv Insights® are registered trademarks or trademarks of Evolv Technologies, Inc. in the United States and other jurisdictions. For more information, visit https://evolvtechnology.com.  

  

Forward-looking Statements  

Certain statements in this press release may constitute “forward-looking” statements and information, within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that relate to our current expectations and views of future events. In some cases, these forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “potential,” “continue,” “is/are likely to” or other similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, some of which are beyond our control. In addition, these forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to future events or our Company’s performance and are not a guarantee of future performance. Actual outcomes may differ materially from the information contained in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including, without limitation, the risk factors set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended on December 31, 2022, that was filed with the SEC on March 24, 2023, as may be updated in other filings we make with the SEC, including our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended on September 30, 2023 that was filed with the SEC on November 9, 2023.  These statements reflect management’s current expectations regarding future events and operating performance and speak only as of the date of this press release. You should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee that future results, levels of activity, performance and events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements will be achieved or will occur. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.      

Six Evolv Customers to Play on Wild Card Weekend 

In my last blog post, I introduced two themes that are worth revisiting on the eve of NFL Wild Card Weekend.  First is the notion – which I would humbly submit is really more of a fact – that “champions choose Evolv.”  Second is the reality that playoff games can pose special challenges for event operators.  This weekend, with six NFL Playoff games, really illustrates both of these themes. 

In terms of champions continuing to choose Evolv, I certainly won’t make any predictions, but in the any-given-Sunday NFL, our chances seem pretty good.  Six of Evolv’s 11 NFL team customers are in the playoffs this year.  That’s six of 14 total teams, and at least one Evolv customer is playing in five of the six Wild Card games.  We even have an “Evolv Bowl” of sorts, as the Cleveland Browns travel to the Houston Texans on Saturday afternoon. 

Speaking of the Texans and NRG Stadium, this is a great example of a primary Evolv Express® value proposition:  operational simplicity and peace of mind that a persistent problem is solved.  NRG Stadium hosted the College Football Playoff National Championship game on Monday night.  Five days later, the same building will host the Texans’ first home playoff game since 2020.  That’s a huge operational challenge, and ingress is always a concern in the post-season, with added numbers of VIPs and first-time attendees who are unfamiliar with the venue layout.  How nice, then, for the Texans and NRG Stadium staffs to know that ingress is one thing they don’t have to worry about in a very compressed work week. 

Best of luck to all 14 NFL teams competing to win Super Bowl LVIII.  My loyalties are clear, except in this weekend’s “Evolv Bowl” where I will be decidedly neutral.  And for the remaining 13 NFL teams that are not yet Evolv customers and already thinking about next season, just a friendly suggestion to add upgraded ingress screening to your planning mix.  We’d love to talk to you about the many reasons why champions choose Evolv. 

   

Citi Field Delivers Transformative Ingress Experience for New York Mets Fans with the Help of Evolv

The importance of fans to the Mets cannot be understated. Fans first is a critical part of Mets’ culture. Part of this involves security screening and ticketing. “We wanted the ingress experience for fans to be frictionless and for them to have a great time,” says Oscar Fernandez, VP of Technology Solutions for the Mets and Citi Field. He continues, “They should come to a game and not worry about the ingress process at all. We want them to enjoy everything; it’s not simply the ballgame but the entire experience.”

Over the past two seasons, the Citi Field team has observed and tested the Evolv Express and witnessed its evolution. The technology adapts to their high-capacity venue very well, meeting their needs and elevating their security posture.

Through implementing the Express, the New York Mets were able to:

  • Reduce security screening footprint by 75%—from 40 walkthrough metal detectors to 11 Ruggedized Evolv Express dual-lane systems
  • Plan real-time verified threat alarm notification through Genetec Security Operations, VMS integration
  • Improve fan experience by making security screening more frictionless and fast

Case Study Video

Watch how the New York Mets increase their visitor experience with Evolv Express®

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Case Study

Read the case study to learn how you can start your journey to a more secure and guest-friendly security screening solution in the professional sports industry today.

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Infographic

View our infographic about the New York Met’s experience with Evolv

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View more of our case studies on our resources page here.