AI cybersecurity startup Clarity, specializing in deepfake detection, disclosed a recent Seed funding round of $16 million on Thursday. The investment was spearheaded by Walden Catalyst Ventures and Bessemer Venture Partners, with participation from initial investor Secret Chord Ventures, Ascend Ventures, and Flying Fish Partners. Noteworthy contributions came from over 70 angel investors and advisors, including esteemed figures such as Udi Mokady, a prominent cybersecurity authority, and Professor Larry Diamond, an expert in democracy from Stanford University.

Established in 2022 by a trio of founders, namely Michael Matias (CEO), Natalie Fridman (CTO), and Gil Avriel (CSO & COO), Clarity boasts a diverse team with impressive credentials. Matias, a Stanford alumnus with a background in the 8200 Cyber Unit, has been recognized with the Goldman Sachs 2023 Builders and Innovators Award. Fridman, holding a PhD in Computer Science specializing in artificial intelligence, has excelled in managing R&D teams within the high-tech sector. Avriel, a Harvard graduate, brings extensive legal advisory experience from the National Security Council. The company, headquartered in Israel, comprises 15 professionals, predominantly veterans from Check Point and intelligence units.

The secured funding will primarily fuel Clarity’s recruitment efforts, further technological advancements, and facilitate expansion endeavors in the United States.

Michael Matias, in a dialogue with Calcalist, shared insights into his motivation derived from familial influences, with his father, Yossi Matias, serving as a VP at Google, and his mother, Dr. Shavit Matias, holding a prominent position as the first Deputy Attorney General of Israel for International Law. Expressing concern over the global political landscape, particularly amidst 40 impending elections, Matias highlighted the significant threat posed by deepfakes to democratic processes.

Leveraging a proprietary technology, Clarity specializes in identifying AI alterations in multimedia content and validating media authenticity through encrypted watermarking. By integrating Clarity’s solution into their operations, organizations can fortify their defenses against manipulation, safeguarding the integrity of their digital assets.

Matias emphasized the critical importance of countering the proliferation of highly convincing deceptive content, underscoring the nascent stage of this deceptive trend. The infusion of capital, alongside the strategic collaboration with Walden Catalyst and Bessemer, is poised to expedite Clarity’s research and development initiatives, pivotal to their overarching goal of upholding trust in the digital sphere.

Currently engaged in collaborations with major news outlets for media verification, partnering with the Israeli government, and recently joining forces with Kaltura to authenticate crucial footage from the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel, Clarity remains at the forefront of combatting digital misinformation.