Hunted Labs Raises $3M to Enhance Open Source Security
▼ Summary
– Hunted Labs, an innovative startup, has secured a $3 million seed investment to identify suspicious contributors in the open source community.
– The startup is led by George Barnes, a former NSA deputy director with extensive experience in cybersecurity, now a venture capitalist at Red Cell Partners.
– Hunted Labs was founded by Hayden Smith, who previously worked on Department of Defense projects and developed the DoD’s Platform One.
– The need for Hunted Labs was highlighted by a Microsoft engineer discovering a backdoor in xz Utils, emphasizing the importance of scrutinizing open source software contributors.
– Hunted Labs secured funding through cold emails, leading to inclusion in Red Cell Partners’ incubator program, and has already secured a $1.79 million contract with the Space Development Agency.
In a world where digital security is paramount, the rise of open source software has brought both opportunities and challenges. Now, a new player is stepping up to address these challenges head-on. Meet Hunted Labs, an innovative startup that has just secured a $3 million seed investment to identify suspicious contributors in the open source community. This exciting development is spearheaded by former NSA deputy director George Barnes, who is now making waves as a venture capitalist.
From NSA to Venture Capital
George Barnes, who spent 35 years at the NSA, has transitioned from a career in espionage to venture capitalism at Red Cell Partners. His vast experience in cybersecurity, particularly in identifying vulnerabilities and zero-day exploits, positions him uniquely to guide Hunted Labs. Barnes’ journey from engineering at the NSA to his recent role reflects his deep understanding of both offensive and defensive cybersecurity tactics.
The Birth of Hunted Labs
Hunted Labs was founded by Hayden Smith, a seasoned professional in DevOps and cybersecurity who previously worked on various Department of Defense (DoD) projects. Smith’s pivotal role in the development of the DoD’s Platform One, a comprehensive software factory, highlighted the need for stringent oversight of open source software (OSS) contributors. Platform One’s success in streamlining app deployment underscored a critical gap: the lack of tools to verify the backgrounds of OSS contributors at scale.
Addressing the Open Source Conundrum
The need for Hunted Labs became evident when a Microsoft engineer uncovered a backdoor in xz Utils, a widely used software component in Linux systems. This incident, which revealed years of covert manipulation, underscored the importance of scrutinizing OSS contributors. Hunted Labs aims to commercialize the background-checking processes Smith developed for Platform One, providing a scalable solution to ensure the integrity of OSS contributions.
Cold Emails and Big Breaks
Smith’s journey to securing funding began with cold emails to potential investors. The response from George Barnes was a game-changer, leading to Hunted Labs’ inclusion in Red Cell Partners’ three-month discovery period. This incubator program, akin to an accelerator but with a more hands-on approach, allowed Hunted Labs to refine its product and gain traction. The startup’s impressive progress attracted customers and culminated in a $3 million seed investment.
Hunted Labs is already making significant strides, including securing a $1.79 million contract with the Space Development Agency. As the startup continues to grow, its mission to safeguard the open source ecosystem becomes increasingly vital. By leveraging their expertise and innovative solutions, Hunted Labs is poised to make a lasting impact on cybersecurity.
Source: TechCrunch
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