‘This investment will help expand our account management team and engineering capabilities. We’ve already added three team members in December, with plans to hire 10 more in 2025,’ says Dan Candee, Cork CEO.
Cyber warranty vendor Cork has secured an investment from Top Down Ventures to scale operations, enhance its platform and address the growing demand for integrated technical and financial cybersecurity solutions.
The funding comes via Top Down’s newly launched Founders Fund I, marking one of the fund’s inaugural investments and reflecting a shared vision for advancing MSPs through cutting-edge technology.
“We’re excited to partner on both technology and business growth,” Dan Candee, CEO of Cork, told CRN in an exclusive interview. “This investment will help expand our account management team and engineering capabilities. We’ve already added three team members in December, with plans to hire 10 more in 2025.”
While Candee declined to disclose the financial terms of the deal, he said the funding represents the first of several planned rounds over the next 18 months.
The investment highlights Top Down Ventures’ confidence in Boston-based Cork’s innovative approach to safeguarding SMBs and MSPs from evolving cyber threats. The investment also brings together industry veterans Chris Day, founder of Top Down Ventures and CEO of ScalePad, and Austin McChord, founder of Outsiders Fund and software vendor Datto.
“This partnership reflects our shared belief in Cork’s potential to revolutionize MSP cybersecurity,” Day said in a statement. “Together, Austin and I aim to help Cork scale and become an indispensable platform for MSPs.”
Cork continues to distinguish itself with its $500,000 cyber warranty, which fills gaps left by traditional insurance policies. Unlike traditional insurance, which may delay payouts or exclude certain costs, Cork’s platform provides instant funds for expenses ranging from incident response to team logistics, according to Candee.
“Cyber insurance addresses the knowns, Cork covers the unknowns,” Candee said. “Our solutions simplify the process and reduce costs, making cybersecurity coverage accessible to more businesses. Our product is more than just a safety net, it’s an active tool that MSPs and their clients rely on to manage and mitigate risks effectively.”
Jason Makevich, CEO of Irvine, Calif.-based Greenlight Cyber said Cork’s “inside-out” approach to cybersecurity and leveraging MSP partnerships “significantly enhances” the measurement of cyber risk posture.
“Having industry pioneers like Chris Day and Austin McChord as investors is monumental, as their vision for technology in the MSP and SMB sectors is unparalleled,” he told CRN in an email. “Cork’s platform helps us maintain continuous compliance for our clients, ensuring that our security policies are always enforced. Additionally, our partner program for commercial cyber insurance brokers aligns perfectly with Cork’s offerings, providing comprehensive coverage and closing significant gaps in cyber insurance.”
The company also revealed plans to extend its partnerships with up to 50 insurance carriers, aiming to offer more comprehensive and cost-effective solutions to SMBs, where about 80 percent currently lack adequate cyber insurance coverage, the CEO said.
“In 2024 alone, we assisted with over 1.1 million compliance events, enabling MSPs to pinpoint and resolve risks swiftly,” he said. “We focus on actionable insights, empowering MSPs to make immediate decisions that secure their clients’ environments.”
Looking ahead, Candee emphasized its commitment to MSPs, reaffirming its role as a partner-first organization. And with a road map focused on scaling partnerships, enhancing platform integration and advancing cybersecurity frameworks, Cork is positioning itself as a pivotal ally in the MSP ecosystem.
And his message to MSPs: “We believe in you, and we respect the tough job you have.”
“Every day we ask ourselves not just what we’re doing well, but how we can do better,” he said. “We’re here to lock arms with you and ensure that you and your clients are secure, successful and resilient.”
