Team8 is an Israeli cybersecurity startup builder that forms and funds security companies. Founded in 2014 by former Unit 8200 members, it has launched Illusive Networks and Claroty and holds several other companies in stealth. Illusive has raised $30 million to date, and Claroty raised $32 million last September in a round led by Bessemer Venture Partners. In 2016 Team8 reported that its companies generated more than $22 million in sales. The firm announced a partnership with Citigroup to collaborate on protection technologies; Citigroup has not invested. Team8 plans to hire 100 new employees across its four offices in Israel, the UK, the US, and Singapore. The company says new investors will improve its research capabilities and access to large enterprises. Team8 is an Israeli cybersecurity venture creation corporation that focuses on building and investing in cybersecurity startups. The company is described in the article as a venture creation firm in the cyber sector. It secured external strategic funding to support its operations and portfolio activities. The reported financing is intended as strategic backing from major technology, telecom and investment firms. No operating metrics, valuation, or use-of-proceeds details were disclosed in the article. Team8 combines a think tank, venture capital and startup foundry model to conceive and finance cybersecurity startups. Founders include CEO Nadav Zafrir, a former head of Unit 8200, fellow intelligence veteran Israel Grimberg, and startup veteran Liran Grinberg. The company begins with research to develop a "cyber‑thesis" that identifies a specific security problem, then incubates and finances startups built around that thesis while acting as co‑founders. Team8 differentiates itself by involving strategic partners early in the process to validate and drive adoption of novel solutions. It announced an $18M Series A from a set of strategic and financial investors. The firm is already testing the model with a stealth startup addressing advanced persistent threats, led by Check Point veteran Ofer Israeli, focused on a self‑defending, constantly changing network.

Total raised

$41M

Funding rounds

3

Latest round

Series B

Latest activity

Feb 2016