Blackwall was founded with the mission of providing SMBs with enterprise-grade cybersecurity protection tailored to their needs. The company’s solutions are designed to help small businesses mitigate risks from malicious bots, data scrapers, and fraudulent online activities.
From DDoS attacks to data scraping, SMBs are particularly vulnerable to these evolving cybersecurity risks. The internet is increasingly dominated by bot-driven traffic, both beneficial and harmful. However, advancements in AI are amplifying the threats posed by malicious bots.
The Growing Threat to SMBs
Cyberattacks are nothing new, but their sophistication has significantly increased in recent years. Malicious bots now account for a substantial portion of web traffic, and AI-powered threats have made it easier for cybercriminals to automate their attacks at scale. Unlike large enterprises that can afford dedicated cybersecurity teams and expensive solutions, SMBs often lack the resources to defend themselves effectively.
According to cybersecurity expert Nikita Rozenberg, SMBs face greater risks than their corporate counterparts. “Big corporations have the resources to withstand cyber threats, but for small businesses, these attacks can be devastating,” he explains. Cyberattacks can result in financial losses, data breaches, and reputational damage that many SMBs cannot recover from. Recognizing this growing issue, Rozenberg co-founded Blackwall, an Estonia-based cybersecurity startup previously known as BotGuard.
Blackwall was founded with the mission of providing SMBs with enterprise-grade cybersecurity protection tailored to their needs. The company’s solutions are designed to help small businesses mitigate risks from malicious bots, data scrapers, and fraudulent online activities.
One of its latest innovations is an ad fraud prevention tool, aimed at e-commerce businesses. Many online retailers allocate significant budgets to digital advertising, but a large portion of these ads end up being clicked by bots rather than real customers. This fraudulent activity drains marketing budgets without generating actual sales. Blackwall’s new tool helps businesses detect and block fake traffic, ensuring that their ad spend reaches real users.
Securing Major Investment for Growth
Blackwall’s rapid innovation and growing customer base have attracted interest from investors. Leading B2B-focused VC firm Dawn Capital has spearheaded the company’s latest €45 million Series B funding round (approximately $49.2 million USD). This substantial investment will enable Blackwall to expand its product lineup and further enhance its flagship security solution, GateKeeper.
GateKeeper is a reverse proxy solution that leverages AI to analyze web traffic, detect malicious activity, and filter out harmful requests in real time. While bots remain a primary focus, the platform also protects businesses from more sophisticated cyber intrusions. By implementing an AI-driven approach, Blackwall is staying ahead of emerging threats and ensuring that businesses can operate securely.
A Strategic Rebranding for a Broader Vision
Originally launched as BotGuard, Blackwall underwent a rebranding to reflect its expanded scope and growing ambitions. Co-founder Denis Prochko was inspired by the popular video game Cyberpunk 2077, where “The Blackwall” serves as a formidable digital firewall that protects the internet from rogue AI. The new name aligns with the company’s mission to provide cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions that act as a digital shield for businesses.
Beyond branding, this transformation represents Blackwall’s shift from a bot-focused security solution to a more comprehensive cybersecurity provider. Its growing suite of products extends beyond bot mitigation, encompassing fraud prevention, data protection, and real-time threat intelligence.
Unique Business Model: The Channel Approach
Unlike many cybersecurity firms that sell their services directly to businesses, Blackwall has adopted a channel-based model. Instead of marketing to individual SMBs, the company partners with intermediaries such as hosting service providers, managed service providers, and e-commerce platforms.
This approach benefits both Blackwall and its partners. Hosting providers and managed service providers (MSPs) are constantly looking for ways to enhance their offerings and differentiate themselves in a crowded market. By integrating Blackwall’s security solutions, they can offer enhanced protection to their customers while also reducing their own operational risks. This strategy allows Blackwall to scale its services quickly and efficiently without needing a massive direct sales force.
For businesses, this means that Blackwall’s solutions are seamlessly integrated into their existing services, making cybersecurity more accessible. SMBs don’t need to purchase and set up additional security software separately—they receive protection automatically through their hosting provider or MSP.
Scaling Rapidly with Global Reach
This innovative sales model has enabled Blackwall to scale rapidly. Since its founding in 2019, the company has partnered with more than 100 intermediaries, allowing its security services to be deployed across over 2.3 million websites and applications. This remarkable growth highlights the increasing demand for automated and easy-to-implement cybersecurity solutions.
With the new funding, Blackwall plans to double its workforce and aggressively expand into the U.S. and APAC (Asia-Pacific) markets. The company is positioning itself to become a global leader in SMB-focused cybersecurity.
Backed by Leading Investors
Blackwall’s momentum is further fueled by strong investor support. In addition to Dawn Capital, MMC Ventures participated in this funding round, continuing its support from the company’s €12 million Series A investment just a year prior. The backing of these well-established venture capital firms underscores the confidence in Blackwall’s strategy and its potential to redefine cybersecurity for SMBs.
The Future of SMB Cybersecurity
As cyber threats continue to evolve, SMBs must have robust yet affordable security solutions to protect their digital assets. Blackwall’s AI-powered, automated security approach ensures that businesses don’t have to manage complex cybersecurity measures themselves. Instead, they receive seamless, real-time protection integrated into their existing platforms.
With strong financial backing, a scalable business model, and cutting-edge technology, Blackwall is poised to become a dominant player in the cybersecurity industry. Its mission remains clear: to empower SMBs with world-class security solutions, ensuring they can operate safely in an increasingly digital world.
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