NYC‑Based Zip Security Secures $13.5 M for SME Cybersecurity
NYC-based Zip Security, an integrated platform for security, compliance, and IT automation, has raised $13.5 million in Series A funding. The round was led by Ballistic Ventures, with participation from Silver Buckshot, Mantis VC, as well as continued support from General Catalyst, Human Capital, and Box Group. This latest round brings Zip's total funding to $21 million. The company plans to use the new funding to expand engineering and go-to-market efforts, introduce additional third-party integrations, and strengthen its presence in sectors including defense, finance, healthcare, and software.
Only 14% of small-to-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are prepared to face cybersecurity attacks. Many mid-market and SMEs, which represent close to half of U.S. GDP, operate without sufficient resources to implement or maintain basic security controls. Furthermore, options such as hiring consultants or outsourcing to managed security service providers (MSSPs), can be slow, reactive, and financially unsustainable for these organizations. Zip uses AI and automation to address gaps in the provision of cybersecurity services.
Zip’s platform was developed by former Palantir engineers Josh Zweig (CEO) and Gabbi Merz (CTO), and consolidates security operations, such as endpoint protection, identity and access management, mobile device security, and compliance workflows, into one AI-driven system suitable for multiple teams. Zweig noted that companies often spend considerable amounts on both security tools and the consulting services required to deploy them effectively. He stated that automated, accessible, and cost-effective security measures are the goal, aiming to enable businesses to configure and manage their security without dedicated specialist teams.
Zip makes it possible for organizations to implement recommended security practices rapidly, pursue compliance with frameworks such as SOC 2, HIPAA, and ISO 27001, and oversee their IT infrastructure efficiently. The Zip platform supports integration with products including CrowdStrike, Google Workspace, Jamf, Microsoft Intune, Entra ID/Azure Active Directory, Okta, among others.
Zip Security is intended for the mid-market but can scale to enterprise requirements. Zip Security targets businesses without dedicated security personnel, but with compliance obligations or advanced threats - such as health, defense, and finance. Its approach is also being adopted by larger enterprises looking to streamline their security programs.
Total Venture Funding to Cybersecurity Startups, (Quarterly, Q12024 - Q2 2025)
Barmak Meftah, Co-founder and General Partner at Ballistic Ventures, who joined Zip’s board, described the company as seeking to provide robust security for organizations lacking resources for traditional solutions. Nicole Perlroth, Co-founder of Silver Buckshot Ventures and Venture Partner at Ballistic Ventures, remarked that the broader cybersecurity market has significant unmet needs, particularly for smaller organizations.
While Zip Security leverages AI‑driven automation to deliver a bundled security stack that aims to be simpler and cheaper for SMEs, it sits in a crowded field of similarly positioned vendors.
Related:
The CrowdStrike State of SMB Cybersecurity Survey
35 Alarming Small Business Cybersecurity Statistics for 2025
SMB cybersecurity: Gap between perceived confidence and actual preparedness