Guardknox, a leading automotive cybersecurity company, recently announced the completion of its $21 million Series A funding round led by Fraser McCombs Capital along with the participation of automotive technology leader Faurecia, SAIC Capital (Shanghai Automotive), Glory Ventures, NextLeap Ventures, VectoIQ, Plug and Play, Allied, Cyphertech, and Kardan LTD. The Israel-based connected car cybersecurity startup stated the new investment will be used to expand its R&D team and support its business reach globally.
Founded in 2016, by Israel Air Force veterans Moshe Shlisel, Dionis Teshler, and Idan Nadav, the company adapts core values and practices from the Air Force to protect the automotive industry from critical cybersecurity threats. Guardknox claims that its cybersecurity technology methods used in jets to analyze every message entering a vehicle’s network with a zero-trust methodology and immediately rejecting, if it’s not designated as acceptable. The company also provides similar cybersecurity solutions to Israel Air Force systems, including Iron Dome, Arrow, and F-35 fighter jets.
“The automotive industry is experiencing massive disruption from emerging technologies,” said Moshe Shlisel, CEO and co-founder of GuardKnox, in a statement. “Paired with increasing customer expectations, companies are under immense pressure to meet client needs and desires for added services, while also providing security solutions that keep pace with passenger safety and data security as well as the ever-changing regulatory environment. We are solving a critical industry pain point and believe our approach to high-performance hardware architecture and secured ECU’s is the best way for companies to ensure the safety of their connected and autonomous vehicles.”
“With connected services available in a majority of new cars and trucks, the ability to secure vehicles and user information will soon redefine automotive brands and insurance,” said Mark Norman, Managing Partner for Fraser McCombs Capital. “FM Capital is proud to partner with the dynamic GuardKnox team delivering transformative cybersecurity solutions for the auto industry.”
