About Protect AI
Protect AI is a company based in Seattle (United States) founded in 2022 by Daryan Dehghanpisheh, Badar Ahmed, and Ian Swanson was acquired by Palo Alto Networks in April 2025.. Protect AI has raised $129.3 million across 3 funding rounds from investors including Palo Alto Networks, StepStone Group and Evolution Equity Partners. Protect AI has completed 2 acquisitions, including Laiyer AI and SydeLabs. Protect AI offers products and services including Guardian, Recon, Layer, ModelScan, and LLM Guard. Protect AI operates in a competitive market with competitors including Private AI, Robust Intelligence, HiddenLayer, Cranium and SydeLabs, among others.
- Headquarter Seattle, United States
- Founders Daryan Dehghanpisheh, Badar Ahmed, Ian Swanson
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Sectors
Technology
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Email
***********
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Phone
*********
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Website
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Social
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- Legal Name Protect Ai, Inc.
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Annual Revenue
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Net Profit
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EBITDA
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Total Equity Funding
$129.3 M (USD)
in 3 rounds
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Latest Funding Round
$80.8 M (USD), Series B
Jul 31, 2024
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Investors
Palo Alto Networks
& 13 more
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Employee Count
Employee Count
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Investments & Acquisitions
Laiyer AI
& 1 more
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Acquired by
Palo Alto Networks
(Apr 28, 2025)
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Products & Services of Protect AI
Protect AI offers a comprehensive portfolio of products and services, including Guardian, Recon, Layer, ModelScan, and LLM Guard. The company's diverse product and service offerings are designed to meet the evolving needs of its customers, address market demands, and provide comprehensive solutions that drive value creation and customer satisfaction across various segments and use cases.
Secures AI models against threats with zero compromises.
Automates testing of AI applications for vulnerabilities.
Monitors and stops AI threats during operation.
Scans AI models for security issues in various formats.
Protects large language model applications from risks.
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Funding Insights of Protect AI
Protect AI has successfully raised a total of $129.3M across 3 strategic funding rounds. The most recent funding activity was a Series B round of $80.8 million completed in July 2024. This substantial capital infusion reflects strong investor confidence in the company's business model, growth potential, and market opportunities. The funding enables strategic expansion, product development, market penetration, and operational scaling to drive long-term value creation and competitive advantage.
- Total Funding Total Funding
- Total Rounds 3
- Last Round Series B — $80.8M
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First Round
First Round
(15 Dec 2022)
- Investors Count 13
| Date | Amount | Transaction Name | Valuation | Lead Investors | Investors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul, 2024 | Amount | Series B - Protect AI | Valuation | Evolution Equity Partners | |
| Jul, 2023 | Amount | Series A - Protect AI | Valuation | Evolution Equity Partners | |
| Dec, 2022 | Amount | Seed - Protect AI | Valuation | Acrew Capital , Boldstart Ventures |
| Date | Amount | Transaction Name | Valuation | Lead Investors | Investors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul, 2021 | Amount | Post-IPO - Grab | Valuation |
investors |
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| Feb, 2021 | Amount | Post-IPO - Grab | Valuation |
investors |
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| Jan, 2021 | Amount | Post-IPO - Grab | Valuation |
investors |
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| Feb, 2021 | Amount | Post-IPO - Grab | Valuation |
investors |
Investors in Protect AI
Protect AI has secured backing from 14 investors, including venture fund, angel, and institutional investors. Prominent investors backing the company include Palo Alto Networks, StepStone Group and Evolution Equity Partners. This diverse investor base provides strategic capital, industry expertise, and valuable network connections that support the company's growth initiatives, market expansion, and long-term value creation.
| Investor | Description | Founded Year | Domain | Location |
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Growth-stage tech companies are funded by this venture capital firm.
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Founded Year | Domain | Location | |
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Venture advisory services are provided to startups and investors.
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Founded Year | Domain | Location | |
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Diversified asset management firm and private fund focused on debt, equity, and secondary market investments in multiple sectors
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Founded Year | Domain | Location |
| Investor | Description | Founded Year | Domain | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Single family office of Amitabh Bachchan, founder of Amitabh Bachchan Corporation or AB CORP
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Founded Year | Domain | Location | |
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Startup ecosystems are ignited through strategic investments by Signite Partners.
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Founded Year | Domain | Location | |
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Venture capital is directed toward companies in multiple sectors.
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Founded Year | Domain | Location | |
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Venture capital is invested in cybersecurity, fintech, and AI startups.
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Founded Year | Domain | Location |
Investments & Acquisitions by Protect AI
Protect AI has strategically engaged in corporate development activities, having acquired 2 companies. Notable acquisitions include Laiyer AI and SydeLabs. These strategic investments and acquisitions demonstrate the company's commitment to growth through portfolio expansion, market consolidation, technology integration, and strategic partnerships that enhance competitive positioning and drive long-term value creation.
| Company Name | Description | Domain | Location | Founded Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Bionic investment advisor platform
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2016 | ||||
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Fine Asian gourmet food is offered by an internet-first restaurant.
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2016 | ||||
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Physical e-commerce kiosks are deployed for rural purchases in Indonesia.
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2014 | ||||
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Fine Asian gourmet food is offered by an internet-first restaurant.
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2016 |
| Company Name | Description | Domain | Location | Founded Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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AI-based security and risk management solutions are offered for businesses.
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2024 | ||||
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Provider of open source software used to protect LLMs from security threats
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2023 |
| Company Name | Description | Domain | Location | Founded Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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OVO is recognized as a smart digital payment application.
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2017 | ||||
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Bionic investment advisor platform
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2016 | ||||
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Physical e-commerce kiosks are deployed for rural purchases in Indonesia.
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2014 | ||||
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Physical e-commerce kiosks are deployed for rural purchases in Indonesia.
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2014 |
Financial Statements - Protect AI
| Date | Amount | Transaction Name | Valuation | Lead Investors | Investors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul, 2021 | Amount | Post-IPO - Grab | Valuation |
investors |
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| Feb, 2021 | Amount | Post-IPO - Grab | Valuation |
investors |
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| Jan, 2021 | Amount | Post-IPO - Grab | Valuation |
investors |
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| Feb, 2021 | Amount | Post-IPO - Grab | Valuation |
investors |
Protect Ai Comparisons
Competitors of Protect AI
Protect AI operates in a dynamic and competitive business environment, facing competition from various established players and emerging companies in the market. The competitive landscape includes prominent companies such as Private AI, Robust Intelligence, HiddenLayer, Cranium and SydeLabs, among others. This competitive environment drives innovation, market differentiation, and strategic positioning as companies strive to capture market share and deliver value to their customers. Understanding the competitive dynamics is crucial for assessing market positioning, identifying growth opportunities, and navigating the challenges inherent in a competitive marketplace.
| Company Name | Domain | Founded year | HQ Location | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| domain | founded_year | HQ Location |
Platform offering privacy solutions for LLMs, API, ASR and more
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| domain | founded_year | HQ Location |
End-to-end security for AI models is automated by Robust Intelligence.
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| domain | founded_year | HQ Location |
Threat detection solutions for AI models are provided.
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| domain | founded_year | HQ Location |
AI governance platform for security, compliance, and trust is offered.
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| domain | founded_year | HQ Location |
AI-based security and risk management solutions are offered for businesses.
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| Company Name | Domain | Founded year | HQ Location | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| domain | founded_year | HQ Location |
Multiple services are booked via an app-based platform.
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| domain | founded_year | HQ Location |
On-demand services are booked through an app-based platform.
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| domain | founded_year | HQ Location |
App based platform offering on demand delivery and ride-hailing services
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| domain | founded_year | HQ Location |
Operates an on-demand hyperlocal delivery app for food and groceries.
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Latest news on Protect Ai
Frequently Asked Questions about Protect AI
When was Protect AI founded?
Protect AI was founded in 2022.
Where is Protect AI located?
Protect AI is headquartered in Seattle, United States. It is registered at Seattle, Washington, United States.
Who is the current CEO of Protect AI?
Ian Swanson is the current CEO of Protect AI. They have also founded this company.
Is Protect AI a funded company?
Protect AI is a funded company, having raised a total of $129.3M across 3 funding rounds to date. The company's 1st funding round was a Seed of $13.5M, raised on Dec 15, 2022.
What does Protect AI do?
Protect AI was founded in 2022 and is headquartered in Seattle, United States. Operations focus on the AI and machine learning security sector, where a platform is offered to enterprises for protecting ML models. Turnkey security measures are implemented without introducing additional complexity to models or necessitating access to raw data and algorithms. Services emphasize straightforward safeguards for AI deployments across various industries.
Who are the top competitors of Protect AI?
Protect AI's top competitors include SydeLabs, Robust Intelligence and HiddenLayer.
What products or services does Protect AI offer?
Protect AI offers Guardian, Recon, Layer, ModelScan, and LLM Guard.
How many acquisitions has Protect AI made?
Who are Protect AI's investors?
Protect AI has 14 investors. Key investors include Palo Alto Networks, StepStone Group, Evolution Equity Partners, 01 Advisors, and Acrew Capital.
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