Led · Seed · Apr 2018

Dellfer delivers a holistic cybersecurity solution for the automotive industry that provides high-level visibility and granular, actionable insights to detect and thwart intrusions in vehicles. The company offers an easy-to-deploy, out-of-the-box product with a user-friendly dashboard for continual over-the-cloud monitoring. Dellfer positions itself as the first and only provider with this level of holistic visibility and traceability for auto manufacturers. It is prioritizing acceleration to market in the core automotive sector while planning early introduction into other IoT sectors. Strategic partners are expected to support operational and sales-channel efforts as the company scales. The company recently announced an $8M Series A investment from DENSO and Option3. Dellfer is a San Francisco, California–based IoT and automotive cybersecurity startup led by CEO James Blaisdell. The company focuses on cybersecurity solutions to defend against "zero day" attacks within connected networks such as deployed IoT devices and, in the future, connected vehicles. Dellfer received a significant investment from Denso; the amount and terms were not disclosed in the article. The company said it will use the proceeds to build out its development team. Dellfer also plans to begin discussions with early adopter customers, including DENSO. No operating metrics or revenue figures were reported.

Participated · Series B · Apr 2017

Peloton’s core product is a driver-assistive platooning system that links the active safety systems of paired trucks and connects them to a cloud-based Network Operations Center to limit platooning to appropriate roads and conditions. The system requires best-in-class forward collision avoidance and other active safety features to improve safety both in and out of platoon. Peloton plans to roll out the world’s first commercial two-truck driver-assistive platooning system later in 2017 and to continue developing more advanced automation solutions. Several U.S.-based Fortune 500 fleets plan to trial the system within the next year, and Peloton is accelerating vehicle integration projects with OEMs including Volvo Trucks North America and Tier 1 suppliers. The company emphasizes collaboration with a broad investor mix and partners to bring solutions to international markets. Financially, Peloton closed a $60 million Series B and has raised $78 million in total since inception. Peloton Technology builds the Peloton Truck Platooning System, which electronically couples pairs of trucks using vehicle-to-vehicle communications, radar-based active braking and proprietary vehicle-control algorithms. The system is overseen by a cloud-based Network Operations Center that monitors safety and approves linking only under suitable conditions while drivers retain steering control. Peloton reports the system has logged more than 15,000 platooning miles and been demonstrated in multiple on-highway tests and fleet pilots across U.S. states. Independent SAE J1321 Type II testing by the North American Council for Freight Efficiency showed fuel reductions of about 10% for the rear truck and 4.5% for the front truck. The company is Silicon Valley–based (Mountain View, Calif.) and is backed by several large strategic investors, including multiple Fortune Global 500 transportation and technology companies. Peloton is commercializing its technology through additional demonstrations and planned fleet pilot deployments later this year to accelerate adoption in U.S. and international trucking markets.