Cyber Guru Secures $25M Series B Funding to Enhance Cybersecurity Awareness Training

In a significant development for the cybersecurity landscape, Rome-based Cyber Guru, a leading cybersecurity awareness training platform, announced on Thursday that it has successfully secured $25 million (approximately €23 million) in a Series B funding round. This round was led by Riverside Acceleration Capital, with participation from other notable investors including Educapital, Adara Ventures, and P101 Ventures. This influx of capital marks a pivotal moment for Cyber Guru as it aims to expand its reach and enhance its innovative training solutions.

A Vision for Cybersecurity Awareness

Founded in 2017 by Gianni Baroni, Cyber Guru has carved a niche for itself in the cybersecurity sector by focusing on transforming employee behavior to bolster organizational defenses against cyber threats. The platform empowers employees to become the first line of defense against cyberattacks, all while minimizing disruptions to productivity. With a proprietary AI-powered adaptive machine learning model and a robust behavioral science methodology, Cyber Guru has developed a comprehensive training platform that effectively manages and reduces human risk.

As of now, the company boasts over 700 customers across various sectors, including both public and private organizations. With more than 1 million active users in over 90 countries, Cyber Guru continuously trains its users through automated learning paths, fostering a culture of cybersecurity awareness and resilience.

Strategic Use of Funds

The newly acquired funds will be instrumental in advancing Cyber Guru’s aggressive AI-driven contextual training strategy. The company plans to enhance its sales and marketing resources and expand its Go-To-Market operations throughout Europe. This strategic move is aimed at supporting continued customer growth and solidifying Cyber Guru’s position as a leader in the cybersecurity awareness training space.

Gianni Baroni, CEO and founder of Cyber Guru, expressed his enthusiasm about the funding, stating, “Securing this investment from Riverside and Educapital, along with the continued support from Adara and P101, is a monumental step in our journey to scale internationally. Our mission is to improve an organization’s resistance to cyberattacks by transforming user behavior. With our proprietary Machine Learning model and the use of advanced learning methodologies, we’ve built a comprehensive security awareness training platform that is effective in managing and reducing human risk, and now we are poised to take this vision worldwide.”

The Role of Investors

Riverside Acceleration Capital (RAC) is known for providing flexible growth capital and operational resources to help acceleration-stage software companies maximize their potential. Since its inception in 2016, RAC has supported over 75 B2B software companies, making it a formidable player in the investment landscape. Christian Stein, Partner at Riverside Acceleration Capital, highlighted the unique value Cyber Guru brings to the table, stating, “We see tremendous value in Cyber Guru’s innovative approach to cybersecurity awareness, particularly their ability to deliver strong engagement rates through AI-driven automation and adaptive learning.”

Educapital, another key investor, is a European venture fund dedicated to Edtech and the Future of Work. With over €200 million under management, Educapital invests from Seed to Series B stages and has partnered with more than 35 companies. Jonathan Denais, Investment Director at Educapital, praised Cyber Guru’s effectiveness in mitigating human risk and expressed pride in supporting the company’s international expansion.

The Future of Cyber Guru

With this substantial funding, Cyber Guru is well-positioned to enhance its offerings and expand its market presence. The company’s focus on behavioral science and its exclusive machine learning model sets it apart in the crowded cybersecurity training market. As organizations increasingly recognize the importance of human factors in cybersecurity, Cyber Guru’s mission to transform employee behavior and create a robust human barrier against cybercrime is more relevant than ever.

As Cyber Guru embarks on this exciting new chapter, the cybersecurity community will be watching closely to see how the company leverages its innovative training solutions to help organizations navigate the complex landscape of cyber threats. With a commitment to improving organizational resilience and a strong backing from prominent investors, Cyber Guru is poised to make a significant impact in the realm of cybersecurity awareness training.