Participated · Series B · May 2021

SAM Seamless Network provides software-based network security integrated into gateways to detect and prevent attacks on smart devices using behavioral analysis, machine learning, device fingerprinting, and IoT threat intelligence. The company currently protects roughly 2 million networks and 70 million devices globally and recently launched an API-based intelligence service offering premium device fingerprinting and real-time IoT security. SAM plans to expand its reach to secure 10 million networks and 500 million devices by the end of 2021 and to bring enterprise-grade intelligence to 5G-connected devices. Its technology is designed to leverage Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) in 5G to operate closer to end devices, improving visibility and reducing latency for faster security decisions. SAM was founded by Sivan Rauscher, Eilon Lotem, and Shmuel Chafets; Team8 co-founders serve as advisors, and the company has offices in New York, Berlin, and Tel Aviv. The company is rapidly scaling its global staff to meet expanding customer needs. SAM offers a system administered via a home or small office/home office internet router that monitors connected devices for suspicious links and blocks malicious activity. Its software is agnostic to any home router and it identifies and provides security wrappers for each device on the network. The company says its approach brings enterprise-style security to consumers and telcos, using AI and machine-learning capabilities to detect unusual behavior. SAM is already deployed across some 4 million devices via Israeli carrier Bezeq and plans to have first services go live in Germany, Belgium and the UK soon. Intel is integrating SAM’s technology into its hardware and ADT is evaluating integration, indicating strategic commercial partnerships. Financially, SAM has followed a Feb 2018 emergence from stealth with a prior $4 million raise and has now closed a $12 million Series A. SAM develops a solution for monitoring and identifying risks in connected devices on home networks and enables patches to be deployed more quickly. The product was built in response to the proliferation of IoT and connected devices in the home. SAM provides telecom companies the ability to offer greater security services to their customers, according to CEO Sivan Rauscher. The company has partnered with Israeli telco Bezeq and its solution has been installed on 200,000 routers. SAM is advised by cybersecurity company builder Team8 and several former members of Israel’s 8200 intelligence agency. The company recently raised $3.5 million in a new funding round.

Led · Series C · May 2014

Life360 offers a family-focused communication and location-tracking app with services that include location sharing, driving-safety tools, emergency assistance, and identity-protection features. The company has worked to add privacy-respecting features such as “Bubbles,” which shows a general location rather than an exact dot, to better balance teen privacy and parental peace of mind. Life360 says its app is used by over 28 million monthly users across 195+ countries and is on track to top $110 million in revenue this year; as of March 2021, 916,000 families were paying for the service. To broaden its product reach beyond phone-based tracking, Life360 announced a $37 million acquisition of wearable maker Jiobit that it expects to close in about 30 days. The company faces competition from built-in device services like Find My and operator offerings and has been positioning itself as a broader family-safety platform rather than solely a tracker. Life360 also appointed celebrity and industry advisors (and new board and C-suite hires) to help refine product and go-to-market strategy. Life360 provides a location and communication app for families, enabling members to share locations, know when someone needs help and communicate via in‑app messaging. The app is available for Android and iPhone. Founded in 2008 and led by CEO Chris Hulls, the company is based in San Francisco. In May 2014 Life360 raised a $50M Series C, strengthening its financial position. Life360 and ADT plan to develop a new mobile application that will provide direct access to ADT’s 24/7 monitoring centers to connect users to police, fire and emergency medical responders. The planned app is scheduled to be available in late 2014, free with optional upgraded ADT security features offered via a monthly subscription. Life360 offers a free iOS and Android app that uses proprietary location-based technology to keep families connected through private location sharing, a messaging stream, regular check-ins and panic alerts. The app includes features such as Circles for separate group privacy controls and Places for automatic arrival alerts. It is used by more than 20 million families. The company was founded in 2008 and is led by CEO Chris Hulls. Life360 recently secured follow-on funding as part of its Series B and is pursuing integrations of its family graph technology into smart-home products and services. The partnership with The Duchossois Group’s portfolio aims to embed Life360 capabilities into companies such as Chamberlain and BrivoLabs. Life360 is a mobile family-locator app that lets family members share locations, create private groups, and receive location-based alerts. The service launched in 2008 on Android and has grown to more than 40 million users, with over half of its user base overseas. Life360 recently introduced a Premium tier at $4.99/month that includes a 24/7 Live Advisor, roadside assistance, unlimited Places, expanded location history, $100 stolen-phone protection, and non-smartphone lookups. The company is pursuing integrations with automotive and home-security partners and plans to introduce a “Circles” feature to invite babysitters and extended family into designated groups. Life360 processes over 250 million API requests per day, incurs infrastructure costs in the hundreds of thousands per month, and has 32 employees in San Francisco. The additional funding will be used for product enhancements, internationalization (starting in Asia and then Europe), hiring, and infrastructure. Life360 launched in 2008 and provides a suite of family-oriented services across iOS, Android and BlackBerry, including real-time location tracking, check-ins, geo-fenced alerts, group and one-to-one messaging, and an emergency/panic button. The company is positioning itself to move beyond an app into a broader platform that can integrate with cars and smart-home systems to automate navigation to people and arm home security when no family members are present. Life360 has hired former Twitpic CTO Steve Corona to build infrastructure and APIs; the company says it is a massive PHP user (among the largest worldwide) and handles more request volume than WordPress and Wikipedia. Two months ago Life360 began monetizing with a premium suite, initially $5/month (intro) rising to $7/month, offering OnStar-like live operator support, stolen-phone insurance, additional geofences and location history; the company reports thousands of free-to-paid conversions. The product roadmap includes Circles for caregivers, messaging improvements and a premium concierge service. Financially, Life360 is backed by $10 million in outside funding and plans to raise a B round.

Participated · Series C · Jul 2009

iControl Networks develops OpenHome, a broadband home management software platform that enables broadband service providers, home security companies, and utilities to offer interactive services and let customers control and connect to their homes via web and mobile devices. OpenHome currently powers Comcast’s XFINITY Home Security service and the nationally‑launched ADT Pulse service, and is in market deployments with additional unannounced broadband service providers. The company offers an energy management solution alongside its other broadband home management services. iControl says the new capital will accelerate deployment of its energy management solution and other services. The company also plans to use the funding to position itself for international expansion. With this round, total investment in iControl has exceeded $100 million. iControl Networks builds broadband-enabled home security and energy control systems that are sold and installed by home protection companies and broadband service providers. The company has extended accessibility with an iPhone app that lets users remotely view cameras and control heating, cooling, lighting and security systems. iControl does not sell directly to homeowners; its technology is designed to be sold by partners such as ADT, and homeowners pay a monthly subscription fee for the service. The company is Palo Alto–based. Competitors mentioned include 4HomeMedia in Sunnyvale. iControl recently closed a third round that added $23 million, bringing total funding to more than $45 million.