Semperis, a cybersecurity company based in Hoboken, just raised $125 million.
The funds, coming from J.P. Morgan and Hercules Capital, will improve the company’s tools and expand its business.
Semperis focuses on keeping identity systems like Microsoft’s Active Directory (AD), Entra ID, and Okta safe, especially in today’s digital world, where many businesses use both on-premises and cloud services.
- Semperis, now valued at over $1 billion, has raised $125M to improve its protection tools for Active Directory, Entra ID, and Okta.
- The company’s solutions help reduce recovery times after cyberattacks by 90%, protecting over 100 million users.
- With this funding and new leadership, Semperis is growing fast and may be getting ready for an IPO.
The Rise of Semperis in Active Directory Security
Semperis, a cybersecurity company focused on protecting Active Directory (AD), recently announced it has raised $125 million from J.P. Morgan and Hercules Capital.
And this funding is a major step forward for the Hoboken-based company, which is now valued at over $1 billion.
Semperis protects user accounts for big companies like Lenovo, Starbucks, and United Airlines, covering over 100 million identities.
Ultimately, the new funds will help them expand research and development (R&D) and grow the business further, possibly gearing up for an initial public offering (IPO).
Since over 90% of Fortune 1000 companies use AD to manage users and network resources, it’s a popular target for hackers.
For example, attacks like the devastating NotPetya cyberattack, which heavily relied on AD vulnerabilities, prove how critical it is to secure these systems.
In light of this threat, Semperis claims its platform can cut recovery time by 90%, which is a huge advantage for businesses hit by these attacks.
Expanding Services and Protecting More Users
Semperis doesn’t focus only on AD—it also provides protection for Entra ID (formerly Azure Active Directory) and Okta.
With the rise of cyber threats, identity management systems are critical for businesses, and Semperis helps prevent, detect, and respond to cyberattacks that target them.
With this new funding, Semperis is looking to improve its technology even more, incorporating machine learning to stay ahead of hackers.
As Scott Bluestein, CEO of Hercules Capital, pointed out, “Semperis is a clear leader in identity system defense, using machine learning to prevent, detect, and respond to attacks.”
Given the current challenges companies face, Semperis’ hybrid identity protection is essential for those using both on-premises and cloud services, providing them with a reliable way to protect their critical systems.
New Leadership and Future Plans
Along with the new funding, Semperis has hired experienced leaders to help guide the company.
Jeff Bray has joined as Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Mike DeGaetano as Chief Revenue Officer (CRO), and Annabel Lewis as Chief Legal Officer (CLO).
All three have years of experience in the cybersecurity industry, and Bray has led companies through the process of going public, which hints that an IPO could be on the horizon for Semperis.
CEO Mickey Bresman has hinted that while an IPO might be in the cards, the company is also open to mergers and acquisitions (M&A), especially since the cybersecurity market is seeing a lot of consolidation.
Bresman explained that they decided to raise this money through equity and debt, allowing them to keep more control over the company while still fueling growth.
In addition to the leadership changes, Semperis welcomed Todd Weber as the new Vice President of Professional Services.
With over 20 years of experience in cybersecurity, Weber will help the company offer more services, build stronger client relationships, and drive revenue growth.
He’s previously worked for major cybersecurity firms and brings knowledge to Semperis.
A Smart Funding Strategy: Why Debt and Equity?
As we discussed, Semperis raised this $125 million through debt and equity financing.
CEO Mickey Bresman said this approach allows them to grow while keeping the mix of investors they want, such as KKR, Insight Partners, and Ten Eleven Ventures.
Also, choosing this path allows Semperis to keep more ownership in-house, which is a smart move as they potentially prepare for an IPO.
“Semperis, with new support from J.P. Morgan and Hercules Capital, and our existing team of world-class backers, will continue to drive innovations to disrupt cyberattacks,” said CFO Jeff Bray.
With this funding, Semperis will have the opportunity to invest more in research and development (R&D).
Additionally, it will enable the company to expand its global reach. And this is especially crucial as more companies look to secure both their cloud and on-premises systems from growing cyber threats.
Shaping the Future of Identity Protection
It’s great how Semperis addresses a growing need for better protection of identity systems.
As cyberattacks become more frequent and complex, companies need stronger defenses around services like Active Directory, Entra ID, and Okta.
Semperis’ tools, which can cut recovery times by 90%, are essential for preventing long-lasting cyberattack damage.
With this $125 million investment, Semperis is set to keep leading in the cybersecurity space, building even better tools to protect the systems companies rely on.
Whether it’s through growing its team, making strategic acquisitions, or preparing for an IPO, Semperis is positioned to shape the future of identity system protection.
