Release of 05.05.2021
A1 Telekom Austria Group announces the raise of a EUR 2.5 million Series A round led by Day One Capital with participation from Fazole Ventures and business angels assigned for its A1 Austria start-up company Whalebone for its DNS-based cybersecurity tech.
During the Corona year 2020, according to a study by EY Austria, there was a dramatic increase in cyberattacks and data theft. The large-scale conversion of companies to home offices during the Corona crisis has significantly increased the risk, with one in four companies falling victim to data theft in recent years and one in ten being blackmailed by hackers.
All the more telecom operators need companies like Whalebone, whose services provide security for mobile, fixed and IoT communication, applicable to all connected devices, convergent and bandwidth independent without the end-user needing to download additional software.
"The importance of security has increased exorbitantly in recent months. At the same time, however, the demands on security providers have also increased. Whalebone is a solution that can be implemented quickly and provides security under the radar of the end customer. I am very pleased for Richard and the team that this investment will enable them to accelerate their internationalization," says Mario Mayerthaler, Director of Innovation & A1 Start-up Campus, A1 Telekom Austria Group.
“The long-term innovation partnership with A1 Austria is surely the cornerstone of our success. Not only did we get invaluable feedback, but the experience also allowed us to fully understand what had to be done to raise our game to a point where we could collaborate with big telecommunications companies and roll out multiple nationwide operators at a rapid pace”, says Richard Malovic, Whalebone CEO.
Who is Whalebone?
Whalebone is a cybersecurity provider that prevents communication with and downloads of malware. The start-up protects networks and users against botnets, ransomware, spyware or phishing. Whalebone intervenes regardless of the current life phase of the malicious software: before the download, before the dangerous domain is accessed, but also when the malware is already on the device and tries to communicate with its Command & Control Center. Whalebone mainly focuses on DNS name resolution at the network level. Thus, Whalebone protection covers all devices on the network, including those that are very complicated or impossible to secure because there is no suitable app or even interface for it. Whalebone is therefore also ideally suited to secure smart home gadgets, such as smart thermostats or cameras. The service is updated in real time, so users are always protected against the latest threats.
Whalebone has repeatedly proven its potential by enabling important CEE telcos to properly protect their customers, while raising revenues significantly. Founded in Brno, Czech Republic in 2016, the company has evolved into a rising cybersecurity star.
A1 Start-up Campus: More than just an office
The A1 Start-up Campus is providing office space in Vienna at 2000m² and has been adapted to the needs of A1 Start-up companies. It is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, such as a multimedia whiteboard, a professional presentation and video conferencing system and a 10 Gbit/s Internet connection. A1 Start-up Campus is also the name of the A1 Start-up program: In addition to the free office location, A1 supports the Start-ups with the entire range of A1 business products, from tablets to data center services and cloud space. In addition, around 30 A1 employees from all divisions are on hand to provide advice and support to the young entrepreneurs, advising them on the most relevant business disciplines such as marketing, sales and controlling. In some cases, investments are also made and A1 sales channels are made available.