Karamba Security
Israeli automotive and embedded-systems cybersecurity company; two co-founders are reported to be IDF intelligence veterans and a third a former Rafael executive
| Karamba Security
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|---|---|
| Logo | 
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| Type | Private |
| Founder(s) | Ami Dotan, David Barzilai, Tal Ben-David, Assaf Harel |
| Headquarters | 24 HaNagar Street, Hod Hasharon 45277-13, Israel; US office: 41000 Woodward Ave, Building East, Suite 350, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304 |
| Industry | Cybersecurity |
| Services | Security software for connected cars and embedded devices |
| Homepage | karambasecurity.com |
Karamba Security is an Israeli cybersecurity company that makes software to protect the electronic control units of connected and autonomous cars, and other embedded devices, from cyber attack. It was founded by Ami Dotan, David Barzilai, Tal Ben-David and Assaf Harel. PYMNTS reported in 2017 that Ben-David and Harel "had previously served in an elite intelligence unit of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF)".[1] The company's website says Dotan was previously "VP of Strategy at Rafael, Israel MOD's leading Research and Development center" (RAFAEL Advanced Defense Systems).[2]
Founders and military and defence links
According to PYMNTS, all four co-founders "come out of high-tech security background", and "Two of them, Ben-David and Harel, had previously served in an elite intelligence unit of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF)" (Israel Defense Forces). The report did not name the unit.[1] The company's own website says that Tal Ben-David "served in an elite technological unit with the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF)" and was earlier a senior research and development manager at Check Point Software Technologies.[2]
The website also says that Ami Dotan, before investing in technology companies, was "VP of Strategy at Rafael, Israel MOD's leading Research and Development center" (RAFAEL Advanced Defense Systems; Israeli Ministry of Defence).[2]
Sources give the founders' roles differently. Globes reported in 2016 that the company was founded by Ami Dotan (CEO), Tal Ben David (vice president of research and development), David Barzilai (executive chairman) and Asaf Harel (CTO).[3] The company's website now lists Barzilai as co-founder and CEO and Dotan as co-founder, executive chairman and head of business development.[2]
Funding
In September 2016 Karamba closed a $2.5 million round led by Fontinalis Partners, with existing investors YL Ventures and GlenRock; Globes said it then had offices in Hod Hasharon and Ann Arbor, Michigan.[3] PYMNTS reported a $12 million Series B in 2017 with participation from Fontinalis Partners, "a fund co-founded by Ford Motor Executive Chairman Bill Ford, Jr." (Ford Motor Company).[1]
See also
- RAFAEL Advanced Defense Systems
- Check Point Software Technologies
- Cyber and tech firms founded by ex Unit 8200 or occupation forces veterans
External links
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 PYMNTS, Karamba And Securing The Connected Car Future PYMNTS, 19 July 2017, accessed 29 October 2026.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Karamba Security, About Karamba Security, accessed 29 October 2026.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Globes correspondent, Israeli car cyber security co Karamba raises $2.5m Globes, 29 September 2016, accessed 29 October 2026.