Funds Galore: $4.3 Million Allocated for Countering Human Threats in Cybersecurity Realm
New York-Based Cognitive Security Platform Maro Secures $4.3 Million in Seed Funding
Maro, a groundbreaking cognitive security platform, has announced it has secured $4.3 million in seed funding from Downing Capital Group. The platform is designed to help security leaders manage human risk in cybersecurity by mitigating threats such as social engineering, insider threats, and AI misuse.
Founded in late 2024 by Jadon Montero (CEO), Gwen Betts (CXO), and Jen Andre (CTO) in New York, Maro aims to revolutionise the way security leaders approach human risk management.
Key Features of Maro
Maro's platform offers several unique features to enhance cybersecurity. One of its key strengths is its ability to provide real-time behavioural interventions, using AI to proactively address human risk by intervening in real-time to prevent harmful actions. This integration of governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) oversight into everyday workflows transforms static rules into real-time behavioural controls.
Another significant feature is Maro's prevention of data loss to AI chatbots and stopping sensitive data exposure without disrupting productivity or blocking innovation. This ensures the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive information while maintaining a productive work environment.
Maro's browser-level protection intercepts real-time deception tactics like clickjacking and typosquatting, providing a secure browsing environment for employees. It also defends against social engineering attacks, including Adversary-in-the-Browser and other AI-powered threats, by catching psychological attacks at the moment they strike.
How Maro Helps Security Leaders
Maro's platform is designed to help security leaders combat human errors and AI-exacerbated threats, including social engineering and insider risks. By providing real-time guidance and reinforcing policies through well-timed notifications, Maro empowers security teams to manage human risk effectively without generating excessive noise or disrupting workflows.
The investment will be used for team expansion, product development, and launch strategy. Maro's founding team, with over 40 years of combined experience in building security companies, aims to leverage this funding to make a significant impact in the cybersecurity industry.
Jesse Downing, CEO at Downing Capital Group, expressed his excitement about the investment, stating that Maro protects people from taking risky actions when stress levels are high and attackers manipulate workforces.
With the acceleration of generative AI, remote work, and shadow SaaS, the risk of users violating company policy without knowing it has exponentially increased. Maro's platform is poised to help security leaders navigate these challenges and maintain a secure cybersecurity posture.
[1] Maro (n.d.) Maro Press Kit. Retrieved from https://maro.ai/press-kit/ [2] Maro (n.d.) About Us. Retrieved from https://maro.ai/about/ [3] Downing Capital Group (2025) Press Release: Downing Capital Group Invests $4.3 Million in Cognitive Security Platform Maro. Retrieved from https://downingcapital.com/news/downing-capital-group-invests-4-3-million-in-cognitive-security-platform-maro/ [4] VentureBeat (2025) Maro raises $4.3 million to help organizations combat human-focused cybersecurity threats. Retrieved from https://venturebeat.com/2025/02/18/maro-raises-4-3-million-to-help-organizations-combat-human-focused-cybersecurity-threats/
- Technology in the form of AI integrated within Maro's platform enables real-time behavioral interventions, addressing human risk and enhancing cybersecurity by proactively preventing harmful actions.
- The innovative cybersecurity platform, Maro, leverages technology to prevent data loss to AI chatbots, ensuring confidentiality and integrity of sensitive information without hindering productivity or innovation.
