​The 12 Trailblazing days of Christmas: Security finalists

A Happy Tech Trailblazing New Year to one and all!

This year’s finalists and the Tech Trailblazers team have much to look forward to in 2015 - new business prospects, new opportunities and of course, the announcement of the third edition winners!

Today we bring you the budding security startups, all hoping to be crowned the Security Trailblazer. Want to help determine this year’s winner? Make your mark at http://www.techtrailblazers.com/security-shortlist/ after a peek at the current infosecurity startup gems…

Hoping to pick up the winner’s title isCalifornia-based finalist Agari - building new, Internet scale, data driven security solutions that eliminate email as a channel for cyberattacks and enable businesses and consumers to interact safely. Agari secured VC Series C funding in September for $15 million, bringing total funding to $22.7 million. Backers include Alloy Ventures, Battery Ventures, First Round Capital, Greylock Partners, Scale Venture Partners.

Also in the running is another Californian startup, Bluebox Security - a next generation mobile security provider that safeguards corporate data across the device, application and network. With a focus on securing corporate data, the cloud-based solution provides complete visibility, security and control, allowing enterprises to trust mobile, while providing the freedom of choice, ease of use, and privacy that today’s mobile employee demands. Bluebox raised an $18 million Series B funding round in January 2014. The funding brings the company’s total amount raised to $27.5 million. Backers include Andreessen Horowitz, Tenaya Capital, Sun Microsystems co-founder, Andreas Bechtolsheim, SV Angel, Ram Shriram

Also in the Security spotlight is Massachusetts-based startup CloudLock providing cloud data security. Its information security applications enable organizations to enforce regulatory, operational, and security compliance in public cloud platforms. Their last funding level/round was VC Series C, raising $16.5 million. This was supported by Bessemer Venture Partners, as well as participation of existing investors Ascent Venture Partners and Cedar Fund.

Privately funded Norwegian startup Crypho were another security startup handpicked by the judging panel. Their technology lets users instantly set up a secure communications channel, within teams or between companies, allowing real time communications, messaging and file transfers. User’s data is encrypted before it leaves the computer, and since only the members hold the encryption keys, no-one else can access the data, not even Crypho. Last year, the Scandinavia startup picked up the Tech Trailblazers European Cup.

London-based finalist Cyberlytic enables organisations to focus their attention on responding to high-risk cyber-attacks in an increasingly complex threat landscape. The Cyber Threat Profiler connects to existing security systems to provide real-time security intelligence, enabling security teams to prioritise their workload. Cyberlytic’s most recent funding, in July 2014, was early stage funding from the Amadeus Early Stage Fund (AESF).

Last but not least,judges were impressed by Baltimore-based enterprise ZeroFOX, whose technology automates the management of social media risk, enabling organizations to take a proactive stand against social media cyber-attacks and business risks. Leveraging patented real-time analysis engines and customizable compliance policy capabilities, ZeroFOX alerts and integrates to protect organizations. ZeroFOX’s last funding round raised $10.7 million VC Series A, led by NEA, and also supported by Core Capital Partners, Genacast and Red Abbey Venture Partners.

Security finalist fast facts…

• US startups form 66% of the Security category shortlist, whereas in 2013, US startups only accounted for 20% of the Security group. The 2014 shortlist also welcomes startups from Norway and the UK.
• Maturity: The Security Trailblazers are quite young with the average age being 2 years old

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s Storage Trailblazer finalists’ roundup, and be part of the conversations by following @Techtrailblaze. To vote for your favourite contender, visit http://www.techtrailblazers.com/shortlist/ by 23.59 PT on 16^th January 2015.