Aorato
Israeli Active Directory security start-up (2012–2014) founded by veterans of the IDF's cyber-security unit; bought by Microsoft in 2014 for a reported $200 million
| Aorato
| |
|---|---|
| Trade name | Aorato Ltd. |
| Type | Private company (acquired) |
| Founded | 2012 |
| Founder(s) | Idan Plotnik, Michael Dolinsky, Ohad Plotnik |
| Defunct | November 2014 (acquired by Microsoft) |
| Headquarters | Herzliya |
| Industry | Cyber security |
| Services | Directory Services Application Firewall for Microsoft Active Directory |
| Parent | Microsoft (from November 2014) |
Aorato (Aorato Ltd.) was an Israeli cyber-security company, based in Herzliya, that monitored Microsoft Active Directory for suspicious behaviour. It was founded in 2012 by Idan Plotnik, Michael Dolinsky and Ohad Plotnik. According to Globes, "All the founders served in the IDF cyber security unit" (Israel Defense Forces).[1] Microsoft confirmed in November 2014 that it was buying the company, for a price reported to be about $200 million.[1][2]
Founders and military service
Globes reported that Aorato "was founded in 2012 by CEO Idan Plotnik, VP R&D Michael Dolinsky, and VP professional services Ohad Plotnik", and that "All the founders served in the IDF cyber security unit, and have a decade of experience in the field."[1] The company's own launch announcement in January 2014 said that it was "Initially coming out of the Cyber Security unit within the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), historically a source of security technology and innovation", and that the founders had previously co-founded and run Foreity, "a Microsoft security subcontractor".[3] TechCrunch described Aorato as "co-founded by veterans of the Israeli defense forces".[2] Idan Plotnik later founded Apiiro.
Funding and acquisition
In its January 2014 announcement Aorato said that it had received about $10 million from investors including Accel Partners, Mickey Boodaei (co-founder of Imperva and Trusteer), Rakesh Loonkar (co-founder of Trusteer), Innovation Endeavors and Glilot Capital Partners.[3] Globes put the total raised at $11 million and said the company had 10 employees.[1]
On 13 November 2014 Microsoft confirmed that it was buying Aorato. The terms were not disclosed; Globes cited the Wall Street Journal as saying that the price was about $200 million, and TechCrunch said that its own sources had put it "in the region of $200 million".[1][2]
See also
- Idan Plotnik
- Apiiro
- Transmit Security
- Cyber and tech firms founded by ex Unit 8200 or occupation forces veterans
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Globes correspondent, Microsoft confirms Aorato buy Globes, 13 November 2014, accessed 10 November 2026.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Ingrid Lunden, Microsoft Buys Israeli Hybrid Cloud Security Startup Aorato In $200M Deal TechCrunch, 13 November 2014, accessed 10 November 2026.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Aorato, Israeli Cybersecurity Start-Up Aorato Emerges from Stealth Mode with Strong Funding Announcement PR Newswire, 21 January 2014, accessed 10 November 2026.