Perimeter 81
Perimeter 81 is an Israeli cybersecurity company that develops cloud-based secure access service edge (SASE) solutions, including zero trust network access (ZTNA), secure web gateways, and software-defined wide area networking (SD-WAN), designed to protect remote users, applications, and networks in hybrid work environments.[1][2] Founded in 2018 in Tel Aviv by Amit Bareket and Sagi Gidali, both graduates of Tel Aviv University with backgrounds in computer science and prior experience co-founding the VPN service SaferVPN in 2013, Perimeter 81 initially focused on simplifying enterprise network security through a software-defined perimeter approach.[3][4] The company raised significant funding, including a $4.5 million seed round in 2020, to expand its platform for secure remote access.[5] In August 2023, Check Point Software Technologies announced its acquisition of Perimeter 81 for approximately $490 million in cash, with the deal closing in September 2023, integrating Perimeter 81's technology into Check Point's Infinity architecture to enhance SASE offerings for faster deployment and threat prevention.[1][6] Post-acquisition, Perimeter 81 operates as Check Point Harmony SASE (formerly Perimeter 81), featuring a global network of over 70 data centers, SOC 2 Type 2 compliance, and tools that enable network setup in as little as 15 minutes while reducing total cost of ownership by up to 60%.[2][6]History
Founding and Early Years
Perimeter 81 was founded in 2018 in Tel Aviv, Israel, by Amit Bareket and Sagi Gidali, who serve as co-founders, with Bareket as CEO and Gidali as Chief Product Officer.[7][8] The two entrepreneurs, both alumni of elite intelligence units in the Israel Defense Forces, first met in 2012 while studying computer science at Tel Aviv University, where they bonded over their shared interest in cybersecurity and networking.[9][4] Prior to Perimeter 81, Bareket and Gidali had established themselves in the VPN space through SaferVPN, a consumer-focused virtual private network service they launched in 2013.[3] Drawing on their technical expertise—Bareket in system architecture and backend development, and Gidali in user experience and frontend design—they built SaferVPN into a recognized brand that addressed individual privacy needs.[10] The company was acquired by J2 Global in 2019 for an undisclosed amount, providing the founders with valuable experience in scalable network infrastructure and the resources to pivot toward enterprise solutions.[11][3] The initial motivation for Perimeter 81 stemmed from the founders' recognition of the shortcomings in traditional VPNs and hardware-based firewalls, which were ill-suited for the emerging cloud-first and remote work environments.[9] Inspired by Zero Trust security principles, they sought to create a more agile, software-defined alternative that prioritized secure access for distributed teams without the complexities of legacy systems.[8] In its early years, the company launched its initial product in 2018, emphasizing secure remote network access for organizations transitioning to hybrid work models, which quickly gained traction among small and medium-sized businesses.[10] This focus laid the groundwork for Perimeter 81's growth, achieving early customer adoption and setting the stage for broader product evolution.Funding Rounds
Perimeter 81 raised a total of approximately $160 million across five funding rounds between 2019 and 2022, achieving unicorn status with a $1 billion valuation in its final round.[12] The company's initial seed round occurred on March 26, 2019, securing $5 million led by Spring Ventures, with participation from U.S.-based investors and existing shareholders; the funds supported early product development and team growth following the founders' experience with SaferVPN.[13] In November 2019, Perimeter 81 closed a $10 million Series A round led by SonicWall, alongside Toba Capital and other investors, aimed at expanding its Network as a Service platform and integrating unified security features.[14] This was followed by a $4.5 million Series A extension in March 2020, backed by investors including Vine Ventures and Toba Capital, to accelerate cloud-agnostic network security advancements amid rising remote work demands.[15] The Series B round raised $40 million on August 11, 2020, led by Insight Partners with participation from prior backers like SonicWall, valuing the company at around $160 million and fueling global market expansion and SASE platform enhancements.[16] Perimeter 81 attained unicorn status through its June 6, 2022, Series C round of $100 million, led by B Capital and including Insight Partners, Toba Capital, ION Crossover Ventures, Entrée Capital, and Spring Ventures, which brought total funding to over $160 million and supported scaling its Zero Trust solutions.| Round | Date | Amount | Lead Investor(s) | Key Participants | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seed | March 26, 2019 | $5M | Spring Ventures | U.S. investors, existing shareholders | Product development and team expansion |
| Series A | November 21, 2019 | $10M | SonicWall | Toba Capital | Platform expansion and security integrations |
| Series A Extension | March 11, 2020 | $4.5M | N/A | Vine Ventures, Toba Capital | Cloud security acceleration |
| Series B | August 11, 2020 | $40M | Insight Partners | SonicWall, prior investors | Market entry and SASE development |
| Series C | June 6, 2022 | $100M | B Capital | Insight Partners, Toba Capital, ION Crossover Ventures, Entrée Capital, Spring Ventures | Global scaling and unicorn achievement ($1B valuation) |