# Protect AI

Startup profile on Capital Atlas: https://capitalatlas.ai/startups/protect-ai

- Industry: IT Security/Cybersecurity
- Headquarters: Seattle, US
- Total disclosed funding: $129M
- Latest round: Series B (Jul 31, 2024)
- Investors on record: 10

## About

Based in Washington, US, and founded in 2022 by Ian Swanson (CEO), Daryan (D) Dehghanpisheh (CRO), and Badar Ahmed (CTO), Protect AI, Inc. operates as an artificial intelligence-based cybersecurity company that offers security products for enterprises that focus on artificial intelligence and machine learning.  In April 2025, Palo Alto Networks, Inc., a portfolio of Lehman Brothers, Globespan Capital Partners, Greylock Partners, and Sequoia Capital, agreed to acquire Protect AI, Inc. from StepStone, Samsung Electronics, Salesforce Ventures, Pelion Venture Partners, Knollwood Investment Advisory, Evolution Equity Partners, Boldstart Ventures, Acrew Capital, 01A, and Aviso Ventures for approximately USD 700 million. The transaction was completed in July 2025.

Protect AI, Inc. provides NB Defense, a security tool for ML Notebooks that introduces security risks and current cybersecurity solutions. It quickly scans a single notebook or a collection of notebooks for common security issues, identifies problems, and guides users through the remediation process. In addition, the company operates a cybersecurity platform centered on machine learning models and artificial intelligence systems. The company's platform provides customized security products and security scans, assisting enterprises in creating a safer AI-powered world.

## Funding rounds

- Series B, Jul 31, 2024, $81M — Pelion Venture Partners, StepStone, Boldstart Ventures, Evolution Equity Partners, Salesforce Ventures, Samsung Electronics, 01A, Acrew Capital, Knollwood Investment Advisory
- Series A, Jul 26, 2023, $35M — Pelion Venture Partners, Boldstart Ventures, Evolution Equity Partners, Salesforce Ventures, Acrew Capital, Knollwood Investment Advisory
- Seed, Dec 15, 2022, $14M — Pelion Venture Partners, Boldstart Ventures, Acrew Capital, Knollwood Investment Advisory, Aviso Ventures

## Investors

- Pelion Venture Partners (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/pelion-venture-partners) — Seed, Series A, Series B
- Boldstart Ventures (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/boldstart-ventures) — Seed, Series A, Series B
- Acrew Capital (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/acrew-capital) — Seed, Series A, Series B
- Knollwood Investment Advisory — Seed, Series A, Series B
- Aviso Ventures (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/aviso-ventures) — Seed
- Evolution Equity Partners (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/evolution-equity-partners) — Series A, Series B
- Salesforce Ventures (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/salesforce-ventures) — Series A, Series B
- StepStone (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/stepstone) — Series B
- Samsung Electronics — Series B
- 01A (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/01a) — Series B