National Science Foundation

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency established in 1950 and based in Alexandria, Virginia. It is dedicated to supporting research and education in science and engineering across a wide range of disciplines. The NSF provides significant non-dilutive funding, up to $1.5 million, to startups and small businesses through its America's Seed Fund initiative, which is part of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program mandated by Congress. With an operating budget of approximately $7.8 billion, the NSF is committed to advancing fundamental research and education, thus fostering innovation and technological development in the United States.

James Donlon

Program Director

Debasis Majumdar

Program Director

Graciela Narcho

Staff Associate

Sethuraman Panchanathan

Director

Past deals in Network Security

Rapid7

Grant in 2023
Rapid7, established in 2000, is a cybersecurity company that offers a range of solutions to help organizations proactively manage their security. Initially focusing on vulnerability management, the company has since expanded its portfolio to include detection and response, security information and event management, cloud security, threat intelligence, application security, and security orchestration, automation, and response. Rapid7 empowers businesses with visibility and insights to make informed security decisions, create action plans, and monitor progress. The company, based in Boston, is committed to helping organizations enhance their security posture and is actively involved in the cybersecurity community.

Cambrian Works

Grant in 2021
Cambrian Works is a space technology development firm focused on advancing fault-tolerant communications networks for space applications. The company specializes in creating hardware and software solutions that serve as a network provider for both Earth and lunar constellation networks. Cambrian Works offers innovative tools for network management that can function as standalone software or be integrated into its GigRouter, facilitating connectivity and routing within spacecraft. Their technologies are designed to provide flexible, low-latency, and secure network solutions, enabling clients to efficiently implement communication systems that connect to bus processors and various cross-link and downlink terminals.

Onclave Networks

Grant in 2021
Onclave Networks is an IoT security and consulting firm that specializes in isolating and containing Operational Technology devices through its Secure IoT platform. This platform combines best practices with patented software deployed on standard hardware to enhance security. The company offers a range of services, including cyber threat identification and analysis, server management, and cloud computing solutions. By focusing on the identification of potential IT issues, Onclave Networks assists businesses in optimizing their information technology systems, which helps lower costs, increase revenue, and mitigate risks associated with data management and security.

Ossillate

Grant in 2021
Ossillate is a security testing platform focused on open-source software, founded in 2020 and based in Auburn, AL. The company provides a solution that enables developers to assess and manage cybersecurity and operational risks associated with open-source dependencies in their software supply chain. By offering tools for vetting third-party code, Ossillate helps developers adopt secure and reliable open-source components, ultimately facilitating the creation of safer digital products and services.

Kapalya

Grant in 2021
Kapalya Inc. is a technology company that specializes in mobile application development, focusing on secure access to corporate and cloud servers. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Honolulu, Hawaii, with an additional office in Berkeley, California, Kapalya offers a mobile application that allows users to navigate and transfer files between various platforms, including corporate SharePoint farms, Windows file shares, and cloud-based storage applications, all utilizing fingerprint recognition for security. The company provides robust encryption solutions for a range of applications such as Box, Oracle, Amazon Web Services, and Salesforce, ensuring that sensitive files are securely stored both at-rest and in-transit. Kapalya caters to chief information officers, chief information security officers, executives, and enterprise users, enabling them to share encrypted files seamlessly across multiple cloud platforms while maintaining data integrity and security.

Picolo Labs

Grant in 2021
Picolo Labs is a technology company focused on building infrastructure for end-to-end secure applications. It employs advanced techniques such as fully homomorphic encryption and functional encryption to ensure robust security. The company is developing a networking platform aimed at facilitating a people-to-people network that promotes open participation, allowing any user to join or leave freely. This innovative approach helps reduce reliance on cloud services for synchronous multimedia sessions, providing a more decentralized and secure method for users to connect and communicate.

EigenPatterns

Grant in 2020
EigenPatterns is a machine learning-based solution provider. They create collaborative anomaly detection and pattern recognition systems that combine machine learning and human expertise to provide powerful real-time monitoring capabilities. They offer real-time monitoring of the entire network using the latest machine-learning algorithms and novel data sources.

Curated Networks

Grant in 2020
Curated Networks, founded in 2019 and headquartered in Santa Cruz, California, specializes in developing innovative link-layer and network-layer routing and forwarding technologies. The company aims to transform traditional network configurations by introducing a dynamic quality of service (QoS) and policy-based routing (PBR) framework that accommodates 5G slicing. Curated Networks provides a comprehensive suite of performance and policy options within a default-deny security environment, allowing network operators to deploy both centralized and distributed architectures. This approach enhances network resilience, simplifies management, and lowers operational costs, addressing the challenges of static networks and improving overall efficiency for operators.

PQSecure Technologies

Grant in 2019
PQSecure Technologies is a security solutions company specializing in quantum-safe cryptography. The firm designs, tests, and builds post-quantum cryptographic solutions that protect current devices from potential threats posed by quantum-enabled attackers. PQSecure offers a range of services, including classical and hybrid cryptography, as well as advanced post-quantum cryptographic methods. These solutions are embedded in smart IoT devices and cloud environments, allowing clients to enhance their cryptographic agility and prepare for future transitions in security technology. Through its innovative approach, PQSecure aims to provide robust security measures that address the evolving challenges in the digital landscape.

Stateless

Grant in 2019
Stateless is a Boulder, Colorado-based company that focuses on reinventing connectivity through its innovative software-defined interconnect (SD-IX) technology. The company provides colocation providers with tools to dynamically deliver routing, security, and automation services across network interconnection points. Stateless enables these providers to efficiently manage and connect various endpoints, including data centers, tenant sites, and hyperscale clouds. By integrating scalable and fault-tolerant software-based network functions with network function virtualization, Stateless allows cloud service providers to create and manage multi-tenant connectivity services effectively and cost-efficiently. The company was founded as a spinoff from research conducted by co-founders Murad Kablan and Eric Keller.

Sky Quantum

Grant in 2019
Sky Quantum is a company that specializes in quantum communication products and services, founded in 2018 and headquartered in San Jose, California. Operating in stealth mode, Sky Quantum is focused on developing innovative solutions in the field of quantum communication, aiming to advance secure communication technologies.

EigenPatterns

Grant in 2018
EigenPatterns is a machine learning-based solution provider. They create collaborative anomaly detection and pattern recognition systems that combine machine learning and human expertise to provide powerful real-time monitoring capabilities. They offer real-time monitoring of the entire network using the latest machine-learning algorithms and novel data sources.

PQSecure Technologies

Grant in 2017
PQSecure Technologies is a security solutions company specializing in quantum-safe cryptography. The firm designs, tests, and builds post-quantum cryptographic solutions that protect current devices from potential threats posed by quantum-enabled attackers. PQSecure offers a range of services, including classical and hybrid cryptography, as well as advanced post-quantum cryptographic methods. These solutions are embedded in smart IoT devices and cloud environments, allowing clients to enhance their cryptographic agility and prepare for future transitions in security technology. Through its innovative approach, PQSecure aims to provide robust security measures that address the evolving challenges in the digital landscape.

Intentionet

Grant in 2017
Intentionet is a developer of management software that focuses on enhancing network reliability and security. The company specializes in analyzing network configurations to identify errors and automate change testing for both on-premises and cloud-based environments. By proactively addressing potential issues that could lead to outages or security breaches, Intentionet’s software provides clients with improved visibility into their network's security posture and connectivity matrix. This approach allows organizations to deploy and maintain their networks with confidence, minimizing the risks associated with operational disruptions and compliance violations.

Tala Security

Grant in 2017
Tala Security, founded in 2016 and based in Fremont, California, specializes in enterprise website security. It offers an agent-less platform that safeguards mission-critical web assets against advanced threats like formjacking and Magecart attacks. Tala's solution leverages Content Security Policy (CSP) and is fully automated, enabling any website to secure user experiences within minutes. Led by industry veterans and backed by prominent investors including VCs, angels, and former Symantec executives, Tala aims to protect web applications and end-users from data breaches and fraud.

Stateless

Grant in 2017
Stateless is a Boulder, Colorado-based company that focuses on reinventing connectivity through its innovative software-defined interconnect (SD-IX) technology. The company provides colocation providers with tools to dynamically deliver routing, security, and automation services across network interconnection points. Stateless enables these providers to efficiently manage and connect various endpoints, including data centers, tenant sites, and hyperscale clouds. By integrating scalable and fault-tolerant software-based network functions with network function virtualization, Stateless allows cloud service providers to create and manage multi-tenant connectivity services effectively and cost-efficiently. The company was founded as a spinoff from research conducted by co-founders Murad Kablan and Eric Keller.

Qubitekk

Grant in 2016
Qubitekk, Inc. is a California-based company established in 2012 that specializes in developing quantum key distribution technologies and quantum networking devices. The company focuses on creating components and systems for quantum sensing, quantum cryptography, and quantum computing markets. Its innovative solutions are designed to ensure secure and tamper-free communications, particularly for electric grid automation equipment. Utilizing entangled photon sources, Qubitekk's devices are engineered to integrate seamlessly with existing infrastructures, enhancing cybersecurity measures for organizations by protecting sensitive information and maintaining regulatory compliance. Through its advanced technologies, Qubitekk addresses the increasing demand for secure communication in various sectors.

Axion Technologies

Grant in 2016
Axion Technologies LLC is a cybersecurity company founded in 2016 and located in Tallahassee, Florida. The firm specializes in developing advanced computer security solutions, focusing on cutting-edge encryption technologies and two-factor authentication capabilities. Through its innovative approach, Axion Technologies aims to enhance digital security for its clients, addressing the increasing demand for robust protective measures in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

Intentionet

Grant in 2016
Intentionet is a developer of management software that focuses on enhancing network reliability and security. The company specializes in analyzing network configurations to identify errors and automate change testing for both on-premises and cloud-based environments. By proactively addressing potential issues that could lead to outages or security breaches, Intentionet’s software provides clients with improved visibility into their network's security posture and connectivity matrix. This approach allows organizations to deploy and maintain their networks with confidence, minimizing the risks associated with operational disruptions and compliance violations.

Virta Laboratories

Seed Round in 2016
Virta Laboratories, Inc. is a technology company based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, specializing in monitoring and anti-malware solutions. Founded in 2013, the company develops advanced cybersecurity tools and IT asset management services suitable for both hybrid and legacy environments. Their flagship product, the BlueFlow platform, consolidates cloud, network, and endpoint data, enabling users to manage inventories, assess vulnerabilities, and evaluate risks through a unified interface. Additionally, Virta Laboratories offers various tools such as the PowerGuard, which detects anomalies in power consumption that may indicate malware, as well as network collectors and vulnerability plug-ins. These services empower organizations to enhance their cybersecurity posture and optimize their IT operations effectively.

Corelight

Grant in 2015
Corelight, Inc. is a provider of network visibility solutions aimed at enhancing cybersecurity for enterprises, government entities, and educational institutions. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in San Francisco, California, the company develops a suite of products that includes Corelight sensors and a fleet management system. Its flagship offering is based on Bro, an open-source network analysis framework that delivers actionable, real-time data, enabling security professionals to comprehensively understand network traffic and effectively detect and mitigate cyber threats. In addition to its headquarters, Corelight maintains offices in Santa Clara, California, and Columbus, Ohio, further supporting its commitment to improving network security across various sectors.

Sensor Hound

Grant in 2015
SensorHound Innovations LLC, founded in 2012 and based in West Lafayette, Indiana, specializes in Internet of Things (IoT) software products and services aimed at minimizing development and operational costs. The company has developed a proactive and automated operations monitoring platform that addresses the critical issues of reliability and security in IoT applications. By providing continuous monitoring, the platform detects failures, security vulnerabilities, and performance issues in real time, delivering immediate alerts and detailed diagnostic information to facilitate rapid root cause analysis. This innovative solution, built on over a decade of research by leading IoT experts, significantly enhances the efficiency of monitoring operations, ultimately reducing maintenance costs associated with IoT deployments.

Network Perception

Grant in 2015
Network Perception, Inc. is a technology company specializing in network device configuration analysis software to enhance network management and security. Founded in 2013 and based in Chicago, Illinois, the company offers tools for firewall auditing and continuous monitoring, enabling corporate compliance and cybersecurity managers to visualize their network effectively. Its platform automates the analysis of network device configuration files, providing comprehensive audits and assessments that help organizations ensure their configurations align with best practices and regulatory standards. By delivering these innovative solutions, Network Perception assists businesses in managing cybersecurity vulnerabilities and maintaining compliance within their network environments.

SecondWrite

Grant in 2015
SecondWrite LLC specializes in automated malware analysis solutions aimed at detecting advanced persistent threats (APTs), targeted attacks, and zero-day evasions. Founded in 2010 and based in College Park, Maryland, the company offers the SecondWrite Sandbox, which utilizes patented technology to identify hidden paths in malware through automatic deep code inspection and execution. This next-generation platform provides comprehensive code coverage and leverages machine learning to minimize false alerts, effectively revealing evasive and anti-analysis features in malware. SecondWrite serves a diverse clientele, including network and endpoint security companies, security operations centers (SOCs), managed security service providers (MSSPs), incident response teams, and threat intelligence vendors.

Virta Laboratories

Grant in 2014
Virta Laboratories, Inc. is a technology company based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, specializing in monitoring and anti-malware solutions. Founded in 2013, the company develops advanced cybersecurity tools and IT asset management services suitable for both hybrid and legacy environments. Their flagship product, the BlueFlow platform, consolidates cloud, network, and endpoint data, enabling users to manage inventories, assess vulnerabilities, and evaluate risks through a unified interface. Additionally, Virta Laboratories offers various tools such as the PowerGuard, which detects anomalies in power consumption that may indicate malware, as well as network collectors and vulnerability plug-ins. These services empower organizations to enhance their cybersecurity posture and optimize their IT operations effectively.

Veriflow

Grant in 2014
Veriflow is a technology company that focuses on enhancing network security and reliability through formal verification of network infrastructure. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in San Jose, California, Veriflow employs continuous network verification technology to predict potential outages and vulnerabilities before they can impact business operations. This proactive approach allows IT teams to maintain secure and resilient networks by identifying and addressing issues quickly, often in just a few clicks. Supported by notable investors such as New Enterprise Associates, Menlo Ventures, the National Science Foundation, and the U.S. Department of Defense, Veriflow is dedicated to ensuring that enterprises can effectively manage their network performance and security.

PFP Cybersecurity

Grant in 2014
PFP Cybersecurity is a developer of a cloud-based cyber intrusion detection platform that specializes in identifying both active and dormant attacks on hardware and software. Utilizing dynamic power behavior analysis combined with artificial intelligence, PFP's technology continuously monitors the power usage of devices and Internet of Things (IoT) systems across data centers and critical infrastructure. This monitoring allows for the detection of dangerous implant-based attacks, with data being analyzed in the cloud to identify malicious activities. PFP provides real-time alerts and dashboards for users, facilitating immediate remediation processes that can occur with or without human intervention. The company's solution offers round-the-clock monitoring, ensuring that organizations can authenticate, detect, and respond to potential threats effectively.

SecondWrite

Grant in 2014
SecondWrite LLC specializes in automated malware analysis solutions aimed at detecting advanced persistent threats (APTs), targeted attacks, and zero-day evasions. Founded in 2010 and based in College Park, Maryland, the company offers the SecondWrite Sandbox, which utilizes patented technology to identify hidden paths in malware through automatic deep code inspection and execution. This next-generation platform provides comprehensive code coverage and leverages machine learning to minimize false alerts, effectively revealing evasive and anti-analysis features in malware. SecondWrite serves a diverse clientele, including network and endpoint security companies, security operations centers (SOCs), managed security service providers (MSSPs), incident response teams, and threat intelligence vendors.

Network Perception

Grant in 2014
Network Perception, Inc. is a technology company specializing in network device configuration analysis software to enhance network management and security. Founded in 2013 and based in Chicago, Illinois, the company offers tools for firewall auditing and continuous monitoring, enabling corporate compliance and cybersecurity managers to visualize their network effectively. Its platform automates the analysis of network device configuration files, providing comprehensive audits and assessments that help organizations ensure their configurations align with best practices and regulatory standards. By delivering these innovative solutions, Network Perception assists businesses in managing cybersecurity vulnerabilities and maintaining compliance within their network environments.

Observable Networks

Grant in 2014
Observable offers Network Security-as-a-Service providing automated security analytics and modeling to continuously analyze the behavior of all network devices. Observable Networks, the Clayton-based network security startup.

Sensor Hound

Grant in 2013
SensorHound Innovations LLC, founded in 2012 and based in West Lafayette, Indiana, specializes in Internet of Things (IoT) software products and services aimed at minimizing development and operational costs. The company has developed a proactive and automated operations monitoring platform that addresses the critical issues of reliability and security in IoT applications. By providing continuous monitoring, the platform detects failures, security vulnerabilities, and performance issues in real time, delivering immediate alerts and detailed diagnostic information to facilitate rapid root cause analysis. This innovative solution, built on over a decade of research by leading IoT experts, significantly enhances the efficiency of monitoring operations, ultimately reducing maintenance costs associated with IoT deployments.

Sensys Networks

Grant in 2013
Sensys Networks, Inc. is a wireless technology company based in Berkeley, California, specializing in integrated wireless traffic data systems and traffic management solutions. Founded in 2003, the company provides a range of products including FlexMag sensors for vehicle detection, MicroRadar sensors for bicycle detection, and systems for collecting data from Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled devices. Sensys Networks also offers various solutions for managing wireless sensor networks, such as FlexControl and Access Point Controller Cards. Their software products, including SNAPS for statistical processing and VIMS Analyzer for vehicle identification, support remote monitoring and lifecycle management. With a focus on adaptive control, parking detection, and traffic data collection, Sensys Networks serves over 150 customers across 40 U.S. states and 10 countries, delivering cost-effective and scalable solutions that enhance urban mobility and traffic management. As of June 2019, Sensys Networks operates as a subsidiary of TagMaster AB.

PFP Cybersecurity

Grant in 2013
PFP Cybersecurity is a developer of a cloud-based cyber intrusion detection platform that specializes in identifying both active and dormant attacks on hardware and software. Utilizing dynamic power behavior analysis combined with artificial intelligence, PFP's technology continuously monitors the power usage of devices and Internet of Things (IoT) systems across data centers and critical infrastructure. This monitoring allows for the detection of dangerous implant-based attacks, with data being analyzed in the cloud to identify malicious activities. PFP provides real-time alerts and dashboards for users, facilitating immediate remediation processes that can occur with or without human intervention. The company's solution offers round-the-clock monitoring, ensuring that organizations can authenticate, detect, and respond to potential threats effectively.

Cloudflare

Grant in 2013
Cloudflare, Inc. is a San Francisco-based software company that specializes in web performance and security services for businesses globally. It operates a cloud platform that integrates various network services, including security solutions such as Cloud Firewall, Bot Management, and Distributed Denial of Service protection. The company enhances website performance through its Content Delivery Network (CDN) and intelligent routing, while also providing optimization tools for content and images. Furthermore, Cloudflare offers reliability solutions like Load Balancing and DNS services, alongside security features aimed at protecting internal resources through Zero Trust Security and Secure Web Gateway. Its consumer offerings include a DNS resolver and a virtual private network (VPN) designed to secure mobile traffic. Cloudflare serves diverse industries, including technology, healthcare, financial services, and government, and was founded in 2009.

Veriflow

Grant in 2013
Veriflow is a technology company that focuses on enhancing network security and reliability through formal verification of network infrastructure. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in San Jose, California, Veriflow employs continuous network verification technology to predict potential outages and vulnerabilities before they can impact business operations. This proactive approach allows IT teams to maintain secure and resilient networks by identifying and addressing issues quickly, often in just a few clicks. Supported by notable investors such as New Enterprise Associates, Menlo Ventures, the National Science Foundation, and the U.S. Department of Defense, Veriflow is dedicated to ensuring that enterprises can effectively manage their network performance and security.

SecondWrite

Grant in 2013
SecondWrite LLC specializes in automated malware analysis solutions aimed at detecting advanced persistent threats (APTs), targeted attacks, and zero-day evasions. Founded in 2010 and based in College Park, Maryland, the company offers the SecondWrite Sandbox, which utilizes patented technology to identify hidden paths in malware through automatic deep code inspection and execution. This next-generation platform provides comprehensive code coverage and leverages machine learning to minimize false alerts, effectively revealing evasive and anti-analysis features in malware. SecondWrite serves a diverse clientele, including network and endpoint security companies, security operations centers (SOCs), managed security service providers (MSSPs), incident response teams, and threat intelligence vendors.

Observable Networks

Grant in 2012
Observable offers Network Security-as-a-Service providing automated security analytics and modeling to continuously analyze the behavior of all network devices. Observable Networks, the Clayton-based network security startup.

PFP Cybersecurity

Grant in 2012
PFP Cybersecurity is a developer of a cloud-based cyber intrusion detection platform that specializes in identifying both active and dormant attacks on hardware and software. Utilizing dynamic power behavior analysis combined with artificial intelligence, PFP's technology continuously monitors the power usage of devices and Internet of Things (IoT) systems across data centers and critical infrastructure. This monitoring allows for the detection of dangerous implant-based attacks, with data being analyzed in the cloud to identify malicious activities. PFP provides real-time alerts and dashboards for users, facilitating immediate remediation processes that can occur with or without human intervention. The company's solution offers round-the-clock monitoring, ensuring that organizations can authenticate, detect, and respond to potential threats effectively.

Dirac Solutions

Grant in 2012
Dirac Solutions Inc provides secure wireless communications in hostile signal propagation environments.

Whisper Communications

Grant in 2010
Whisper Communications is an Atlanta-based company that specializes in wireless networking services, leveraging innovative technologies to enhance data security. Utilizing patent-pending technology developed at the Georgia Institute of Technology, Whisper has created an encoding methodology that ensures data signals transmitted beyond a designated area, referred to as the "cone of silence," are rendered useless to eavesdroppers. The company's approach focuses on physical layer security, where the safety of data is intrinsically linked to its proximity to the data source. This enables IT companies to effectively monitor, track, and control devices located within a fixed area, thereby enhancing the overall security of wireless communications.

Symantec

Grant in 1982
Symantec is a comprehensive security software suite developed by Broadcom Inc., offering anti-malware, anti-intrusion, and firewall features for both server and desktop computers. It functions as a website certification service provider, assisting organizations, governments, and individuals in safeguarding sensitive data from advanced threats across endpoints, cloud environments, and infrastructure. Symantec's solutions are designed to meet the evolving cybersecurity challenges of a complex digital landscape. Following the sale of its enterprise security business to Broadcom in 2019, NortonLifeLock, a global leader in consumer Cyber Safety, continues to play a vital role in enhancing online security for approximately 50 million consumers by securing devices, identities, and online privacy.
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