Alumni Ventures Backs Dune Security to Revolutionize Cybersecurity
AV CEO Mike Collins and Dune CEO David DellaPelle Discuss Human Error’s Role in Security Risks
MANCHESTER, NH, MAY 22, 2024 — Alumni Ventures (AV), one of the world’s most active venture capital firms, is a recent investor in Dune Security. The company’s AI-driven platform identifies companies’ highest-risk employees at their points of weakness and automatically remediates with contextualized testing and training. AV invested alongside Craft Ventures, Sky Dayton, Antler, Firestreak Ventures, and Sequoia’s Scout Fund in Dune’s $2 million pre-seed round.
Co-founded by CEO David DellaPelle and CTO Michael Waite in 2023, Dune Security is already making significant strides to address the often-overlooked human element of cybersecurity, which accounts for 80% of security breaches.
DellaPelle recently appeared on AV’s Tech Optimist podcast to explain how Dune is aiming to transform enterprise cybersecurity.
See video policy below.
“The support of firms like Alumni Ventures validates our vision of tackling the biggest problem in cybersecurity — human error,” said DellaPelle. “We are well-positioned to expand our reach and enhance our technology to safeguard enterprises globally.”
“The support of firms like Alumni Ventures validates our vision of tackling the biggest problem in cybersecurity — human error.”
By focusing on employee behavior, Dune is aiming to lead a paradigm shift in cybersecurity. Traditional approaches have involved putting employees inside the castle walls, but Dune’s approach allows CISOs to build the walls around existing employee risk. Dune analyzes all relevant data to identify which employees are creating risks and to what extent, significantly reducing the attack surface for enterprises.
“It’s incredible to see what David, Michael, and team have accomplished over the last year,” said AV Founder and CEO Mike Collins, who hosted the conversation with DellaPelle on AV’s Tech Optimist podcast. “We’re proud to support Dune’s unique approach to mitigating cybersecurity risks by focusing on the human factor.”
About Dune Security
Dune Security is reducing the attack surface for every enterprise. The AI-driven platform identifies your highest-risk employees at their points of weakness and automatically remediates with contextualized testing and training, ensuring continuous compliance and security vigilance.
About Alumni Ventures
Alumni Ventures offers accredited individuals access to professional-grade venture capital, a key asset class missing from the portfolios of many sophisticated investors. Since 2014, AV has raised $1.3+ billion from 10,000+ investors and backed 1,400+ unique portfolio companies. AV is a top 20 VC firm in North America according to CB Insights and the #1 most active VC firm in the U.S., and #3 most active in the world, according to PitchBook’s 2022 and 2023 rankings. AV has won awards from Inc. Magazine, Fast Company, Benzinga, and the US FinTech Awards. AV funds are private, for-profit, and not affiliated with or sanctioned by any school.
About Tech Optimist
The Tech Optimist Podcast, presented by Alumni Ventures (AV), focuses on the intersection of technology, entrepreneurship, and innovation. True to our name, we are passionate about technology and its potential to drive positive change. We explore our lane through interviews with founders, investors, and futurists; discussions of new innovations; and reviews of trends in tech and venture capital. Subscribe Here »
Media Contact Info
Scott Murphy
Alumni Ventures
670 N. Commercial Street, Suite 403
Manchester, NH 03101
Email: [email protected]
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