Bastazo and Salvador Technologies Secure $2.2 Million for AI-Driven Cybersecurity Project
Bastazo, a cybersecurity startup based in Fayetteville, Arkansas, has secured a $2.2 million grant from the BIRD Foundation to develop an advanced artificial intelligence automation and rapid-recovery hardware to protect industrial control systems from cybersecurity threats. This project is a collaboration between Bastazo and Salvador Technologies, an Israeli-based company renowned for its rapid-restoration technology for control systems.
The initiative aims to address the escalating concerns posed by sophisticated external threats, including ransomware, which have become a significant threat to critical infrastructures across various industries. The joint solution will combine Bastazo’s threat simulation and detection capabilities with Salvador Technologies’ rapid recovery framework to provide a holistic approach to cybersecurity.
Bastazo was founded in 2020 by four professors in the University of Arkansas System, including Philip Huff, Alan Mantooth, Jia Di, and Qinghua Li. The company specializes in cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions and uses artificial intelligence and advanced analytics to support cybersecurity operations in critical infrastructures.
The grant is part of the BIRD Cyber Program, a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T), the Israel National Cyber Directorate (INCD), and the BIRD Foundation. This program aims to enhance the cyber resilience of vulnerable critical infrastructure in the United States and Israel.
The collaboration between Bastazo and Salvador Technologies represents a significant step forward in the development of advanced cybersecurity solutions for industrial control systems. The project will not only provide a comprehensive solution for threat detection and recovery but also create job opportunities for students and graduates in Arkansas’ growing cybersecurity industry.
Bastazo has already hired seven students and alumni to work on this project, and the company plans to have the product ready for commercialization in 18 months. The global Operational Technology (OT) security market, which is currently valued at $17.9 billion, is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, and Bastazo is well-positioned to capitalize on this trend.
The partnership between Bastazo and Salvador Technologies is a testament to the potential of the BIRD Cyber Program to foster innovation and collaboration between American and Israeli companies. The program has provided capital for joint industrial research and development projects, enabling companies like Bastazo and Salvador Technologies to develop cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions that can benefit both countries.
In addition to the grant, Bastazo has also started raising a $2.5 million seed round and has landed its first venture capital investor from Washington, D.C. The company has grown to 10 full-time employees and is entering its growth phase, with plans to expand to 15 employees by the end of the year.
Overall, the collaboration between Bastazo and Salvador Technologies, supported by the BIRD Foundation, represents a significant advancement in the development of advanced cybersecurity solutions for industrial control systems. The project has the potential to make a significant impact on the global OT security market and provide a comprehensive solution for threat detection and recovery.
See more funded startups in USA.