London-based cybersecurity startup Klarytee has successfully raised £700,000 in a pre-seed funding round. The backing for this early-stage venture comes from a consortium of prominent investors, including Concept Ventures and high-profile individuals such as Michael Coates, former Twitter CISO, Evelyn Bourke, former Group CEO of Bupa, and the founders of Digital Shadows.
Founded in 2021 by Dr Nithin Thomas, a serial entrepreneur with 11 years of experience in the security industry, Klarytee stands out for its pioneering approach to data security. The startup’s software platform integrates security directly into data, targeting large organizations handling sensitive information, such as investment banking deal teams or those leveraging SaaS and public cloud services, including generative AI.
The inspiration behind Klarytee stems from Thomas’ conviction that conventional security practices, which often restrict users within organizational boundaries, hinder productivity. In response, Klarytee has introduced a revolutionary security product category that encrypts data fragments at the source in real time. This ensures protection beyond enterprise boundaries and across multiple workflows, covering documents, SaaS applications, and even messaging and social media apps.
Klarytee’s Local Large Language Model (LLM) scans for sensitive information and applies default protection, preventing unauthorized access, including on cloud AI platforms. As a Microsoft Partner, Klarytee has also developed an add-in for Microsoft Word, allowing one-click encryption, decryption, and authentication directly within the document workflow.
Dr Nithin Thomas, Founder and CEO of Klarytee, emphasizes the growing importance of data in the modern workplace: “Data has become the most valuable asset a company owns, but evolving workplace habits that require greater collaboration and sharing of data are putting enormous pressures on enterprise security.”
The endorsement from industry veterans is a testament to Klarytee’s innovative vision. Michael Coates, former CISO of Twitter, states, “Klarytee is an essential tool in a CISO’s armory,” highlighting the startup’s role in facilitating the shift to a data-centric security model.
Reece Chowdhry, Founding Partner of Concept Ventures, expresses excitement about Klarytee’s potential to transform enterprise data security: “The Klarytee platform has the potential to transform the way enterprises secure their data as they continue to embrace cloud, SaaS, and generative AI in the workplace.”
This successful funding round not only bolsters Klarytee’s mission but also underscores the significant contribution of immigrant-led startups in the UK’s dynamic business landscape. As the nation’s foreign-born population stands at 14.5%, the success of Klarytee adds to the growing list of immigrant-founded companies making waves in the country.
Klarytee’s innovative strides in securing sensitive data align with the evolving needs of modern enterprises, reflecting a commitment to productivity, collaboration, and embracing cutting-edge technologies. As the startup charts its course in transforming enterprise security architecture, it brings to light the resilience and innovation fostered by immigrant entrepreneurs in the United Kingdom.
