KnowBe4 Ventures

Accelerating the Importance of Securing the Human Layer

For too long the human layer of cybersecurity has been neglected, leaving users vulnerable and creating a soft target for cybercriminals to exploit, leading to the plague of social engineering attacks that we see today. It is time for our industry to step up and acknowledge that the Human Defense Layer must become a mission-critical pillar of the cybersecurity architecture that sits alongside endpoint, network, web and identity.

According to the 2022 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report, 82 percent of data breaches involve the human element. Yet, less than 3% of IT spending is allocated to help secure the human layer, despite the fact that the human element is responsible for a majority of these data breaches, according to IDC. KnowBe4’s vision and passion are centered on improving that disconnect. We aim to invest and assist companies that want to create innovative and sustainable differentiation in accelerating the importance of securing the human layer. Read the press release to learn more.

At what stage will you invest?

KnowBe4 Ventures is stage-agnostic but typically focuses on early stage companies (Seed to Series B).

What is your typical check size?

Our investment size will depend on the round structure and stage of the company.

Do you invest outside of the United States?

Yes.

Do you participate in follow on rounds?

Yes.

Will you lead our financing round?

No. KnowBe4 Ventures invests in companies that have already identified a lead investor.

Do you invest outside of the cybersecurity industry?

KnowBe4 Ventures is focused on cybersecurity but may make investments related to its core business, such as learning innovation.

What is your investment process?

KnowBe4 Ventures aims to make fast, informed investment decisions using a standardized diligence and approval process. It is our goal to provide founders with an honest and understandable answer as quickly as possible.

Do you take board seats?

No.

What are your investment criteria?

KnowBe4 Ventures invests in companies that:

are addressing the human layer of cybersecurity or have an integration case with KnowBe4’s products,
are actively raising and have a lead investor identified,
have a product in the market and initial customer traction, and
have a compelling financial strategy, unit economics and long-term growth potential.

How can I submit my startup for review?

Complete the form below to be considered.

Why does KnowBe4 have a fund?

The human layer of security is a rapidly growing market where many large businesses can be built. We want to support the founders taking on this challenge. According to Verizon, 82% of analyzed breaches over the past year involved a human element, yet less than 3% of security budgets are spent there. This is our opportunity.