An emerging Australian-American cybersecurity startup, Harmony Intelligence, has successfully raised US$3 million (A$4.75 million) in Seed funding to advance its AI-driven security systems. The funding round was spearheaded by Airtree Ventures, with participation from 30 strategic investors, including First Row Partners, Maxwell Capital, and industry leaders from Canva, Adept AI, and Plaid. Notably, Eric Ries, author of The Lean Startup, also backed the venture.
With cybercriminals increasingly leveraging AI to launch sophisticated attacks, Harmony Intelligence is on a mission to stay ahead of the threat. The startup will use the newly acquired capital to expand its operations in both Australia and the United States, bringing on board additional software engineers and security specialists.
Founded by Soroush Pour and Alex Browne—who first crossed paths at Duke University before joining fintech giant Plaid as early employees—Harmony Intelligence is redefining cybersecurity. One of its key innovations is an AI-powered penetration testing system that continuously scans for vulnerabilities, allowing organizations to address security gaps before hackers can exploit them.
“We’re witnessing an unprecedented surge in AI-driven cyberattacks that can easily bypass traditional defenses,” said Pour, now CEO of Harmony Intelligence. “Our goal is to create AI-driven security solutions that not only detect but proactively neutralize threats before they cause damage.”
CTO Alex Browne emphasized the urgency of evolving cybersecurity strategies. “Legacy security approaches simply can’t keep up with the rapid advancements in AI-powered threats. Our technology ensures organizations stay one step ahead by deploying defenses that move faster than the attacks themselves.”
Airtree partner Jax Vullinghs described the cybersecurity landscape as an ongoing arms race. “As AI grows more sophisticated, so do the tools used by bad actors. Harmony Intelligence’s expert team, with its deep expertise in AI and cybersecurity, is exactly the kind of company we are eager to support.”
By collaborating with top AI labs, businesses, and governments, Harmony Intelligence is positioning itself at the forefront of cybersecurity innovation—building a future where organizations can outmaneuver even the most advanced digital threats.