His cap table will shock you. $100m revenue, $750m valuation in his series D with Coro Co-Founder Dror Liwer
Oct 31, 2024
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In this discussion, Dror Liwer, co-founder of Coro, a cybersecurity company specializing in solutions for mid-sized and small businesses, shares insights from navigating significant growth and funding rounds totaling $282 million. He reveals the complexities of managing equity dilution while tackling a $750 million valuation. The conversation highlights the evolution of cybersecurity products, the rise of modular solutions, and strategic decisions about expansion, all set against the backdrop of an increasingly digital threat landscape.
Coro's strategic pivot to serve small and mid-sized businesses has substantially increased product adoption and revenue growth since 2019.
The leadership team's focus on long-term growth and employee engagement through stock options illustrates their commitment to creating a sustainable company culture.
Deep dives
Funding Journey and Growth
The company recently secured a $100 million Series D funding round, totaling over $280 million raised to date, with a valuation around $750 million. Initially founded in 2014, there was a significant delay in revenue growth until around 2019, due to the challenges of selling cybersecurity products to the enterprise market, which was resistant to new ideas. The shift in focus towards targeting mid-market and small businesses, which often lack adequate cybersecurity protections, led to a significant increase in customer interest and product adoption. The realization of this market opportunity marked a turning point, allowing the company to evolve from a niche product to a comprehensive platform for cybersecurity solutions.
Evolution of Products and Market Strategy
The company's strategy shifted in 2017 when it launched an all-in-one cybersecurity solution tailored to small and mid-sized businesses, addressing the needs of customers seeking simplicity and integration. By expanding its offerings to cover various aspects of cybersecurity, including networks, devices, and cloud services, the company became appealing to a larger customer base. The focus on industries heavily affected by cyber attacks, such as education and automotive, further highlighted their commitment to addressing pressing security concerns. This strategic pivot not only increased their revenue but also diversified their market reach across various verticals.
Leadership and Vision for the Future
The leadership team is heavily focused on long-term growth rather than immediate exits, aiming for a dominant position in the mid-market cybersecurity space with a total addressable market of approximately $110 billion. As the company continues to scale and expects to reach $100 million in revenue, co-founders emphasize the importance of maintaining engagement and motivation among employees through stock options. The willingness to discuss dilution openly reflects their transparency and commitment to the value being created, prioritizing the overall success of the company over individual stakes. This forward-thinking approach aims to build a robust organization capable of weathering market changes and maximizing impact in the cybersecurity landscape.
Coro launched in 2015 with a bottom up approach to solving sercurity issues for the SMB and midmarket. Today, they've raised $282m in funding to go big, but how much have the founders been diluted? Can they grow into their $750m valuation?
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