SoftBank invests $100 million in security start-up Cybereason


Posted June 23, 2017 by MnACritique

Cybereason Inc. raised $100 million from SoftBank Group Corp., bringing another cybersecurity business closer to the $1 billion valuation that has become the hallmark of a heavyweight technology start-up.
 
Cybereason Inc. raised $100 million from SoftBank Group Corp., bringing another cybersecurity business closer to the $1 billion valuation that has become the hallmark of a heavyweight technology start-up.

The funding round gives Cybereason, founded by former operatives in Israel’s elite Unit 8200 military intelligence group, a valuation north of $850 million, after factoring in the latest cash infusion, according to a person familiar with the situation.

SoftBank financed the entire round, after leading Cybereason’s previous funding round of $59 million in 2015, the person added. They asked not to be identified speaking about a private investment.

The cash came from SoftBank’s own coffers rather than its new Vision Fund, a $93 billion vehicle with outside investors including Apple Inc., Qualcomm Inc., and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.

Cybereason, like other cybersecurity start-ups such as Cylance Inc., uses artificial intelligence to detect breaches of computer networks. AI helps it work faster to identify problems as hackers switch tactics with increasing dexterity and aggression, said chief executive officer Lior Div, in an interview. “The cadence was switched from years to months, and then to weeks,” he said. “The way different government agencies are thinking about terrorists, we’re thinking about cyber.”

Cybersecurity start-ups valued at more than $1 billion include Cloudflare Inc., Cylance, Crowdstrike Inc. and Zscaler Inc. Including the new funding round, Cybereason has raised $188.6 million from investors including Charles River Ventures, Lockheed Martin Corp., and Spark Capital.
-- END ---
Share Facebook Twitter
Print Friendly and PDF DisclaimerReport Abuse
Contact Email [email protected]
Issued By M&A Critique
Website M&A Magazine | M&A trends | M&A news | Analysis
Country India
Categories Business , Finance , Technology
Tags cybereason , cybersecurity business , fundraising , investment , softbank
Last Updated June 23, 2017