Organization · Venture Capital
Merlin Ventures
Merlin Ventures is a venture capital firm based in the U.S. and Israel, specializing in early-stage cybersecurity investments. The firm employs a hands-on approach to support Israeli startups targeting the U.S. public sector.
Overview
What Merlin Ventures does
What Merlin Ventures is
Merlin Ventures is a venture capital firm based in the U.S. and Israel, specializing in early-stage cybersecurity investments. The firm employs a hands-on approach to support Israeli startups targeting the U.S. public sector.
How it participates in the startup ecosystem
The current public profile supports funder and event host capabilities. Each capability below is shown separately so organization identity and role-specific information do not get conflated.
Operational profile
Organization status and context
Organization status describes the entity itself. Funding and program availability appear within the relevant capability profile.
- Operational status
- Active
- Organization type
- Venture Capital
- Founded
- Founded in 2021
- Approximate age
- About 5 years
- Structured capabilities
- Funder · Event host
- Last reviewed
- May 3, 2026
Official channels
Find Merlin Ventures elsewhere
Open the official website or a supported primary organization account.
Capability profile
Merlin Ventures as a funder
Investment thesis
Merlin Ventures invests exclusively in early-stage Israeli enterprise cybersecurity software startups at the zero-to-one stage, focusing on product and go-to-market decisions that shape future success.
Focus narrative
Merlin Ventures focuses on early-stage cybersecurity companies, providing not only capital but also strategic support to help them gain market traction. The firm emphasizes a hands-on approach, collaborating closely with founders to refine their go-to-market strategies and ensure alignment with customer needs.
Value beyond capital
Merlin Ventures adds value to its portfolio companies through a combination of strategic support, access to a vast network of cybersecurity experts, and operational expertise from its parent company, Merlin Group. The firm also runs the Genesis program, which accelerates go-to-market strategies and connects startups with potential customers and partners.
Terms and economics
- Typical check
- $1,000,000–$5,000,000
- Sweet spot
- $3,000,000
Focus and fit
- Stages
- Pre-seed · Seed
- Sectors
- Cybersecurity
- Regions
- North America
Availability
- Currently deploying
- Yes
Portfolio and track record
- Recorded portfolio count
- 8
- Recorded notable exits
- Talon Cyber Security, Dig Security, InfoSec Global, and Veriti
Portfolio context
Notable portfolio companies include: Talon Cyber Security: Provides an enterprise browser for secure access to managed and unmanaged devices. Acquired by Palo Alto Networks in 2023. Dig Security: Offers a real-time data detection and response solution for cloud data security. Acquired by Palo Alto Networks in 2023. Oxeye: Focuses on cloud-native application security. Cynet: Develops a threat detection and response platform. Tamnoon: Provides cloud security monitoring and remediation solutions. Sepio: Specializes in asset risk management. Cyolo: Offers secure remote privileged access for cyber-physical systems. Wickr: An end-to-end encrypted communications platform, acquired by Amazon Web Services in 2021.
Capability profile
Merlin Ventures as an event host
Event focus
Merlin Ventures is dedicated to investing in early-stage cybersecurity companies, particularly those founded by Israeli entrepreneurs. The firm provides capital and strategic support to help these startups achieve market traction, emphasizing a hands-on approach to refine their go-to-market strategies and align their products with customer needs.
Participant value
Merlin Ventures offers a unique combination of operational expertise and a vast network of cybersecurity professionals, providing portfolio companies with critical resources and connections to accelerate their growth in the competitive cybersecurity landscape.
Format and cadence
- Event types
- conference and meetup
- Startups can present
- No
Availability
- Registration state
- Accepting
- Next recorded event
- April 7, 2024
- Next event location
- Tel Aviv
Audience and fit
- Selection criteria
- open
- Stages
- Pre-seed · Seed
- Audience
- Founders · Investors
- Sectors
- Cybersecurity
- Regions
- North America
Common questions
What to know about Merlin Ventures
Upseed classifies Merlin Ventures under the Venture Capital organization type. Its current public profile includes funder and event host capabilities.
Source and update disclosure
Know what this page is based on
Source basis
Public organization and program material, official websites, and structured Upseed records.
Last reviewed
May 3, 2026
Known limits
Capability profiles appear only when a structured public profile also contains decision-useful role evidence. Terms and availability can change.
Upseed is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the organization described on this page.