Strider Technologies: The Category-Defining Intelligence Powerhouse You Haven’t Heard Of (Yet)
Utah has quietly become home to what we believe will become one of the most critical, category-defining technology companies of our time: Strider Technologies (Strider). You may not have heard of them yet, but that is about to change. Yesterday, Strider announced a $55 million Series C funding round led by Pelion Venture Partners, AXA Venture Partners, Valor Equity Partners, Data Tribe, and Cyfr Capital. While they have garnered press from outlets like the Wall Street Journal, we believe this is just the beginning of Strider’s story.
We’ll dive into what they do shortly, but first, we want to share why Pelion decided to write the largest check in our history.
Although our journey leading Strider’s Series C officially began on December 22nd, 2023, the interest had been building for some time. Several at Pelion had been tracking Strider’s progress and recognized a critical inflection point, driven by both shifts in geopolitics—major tech companies like Google and Microsoft were being hit by nation-state actors, sometimes even from within—and Strider’s evolving momentum. It became clear that something significant was happening. Not to mention that when managing partners are ready to personally invest millions, you pay attention. So, the team visited Strider’s office.
That December day, the office was nearly empty for the holiday break, but the Strider team was still hard at work late into the evening. The energy was undeniable. After spending just a few hours with two of Strider’s three co-founders (and identical twin brothers!) Greg and Eric Levesque, two things were clear: these founders were destined for greatness and building category-defining technology in a massive, underserved market—all while making a meaningful difference in the world.
It felt inevitable. It felt big.
From that moment forward, our team knew Pelion had to be a part of it and we hoped Greg, Eric, and Mike Brown, the third co-founder and tech guru, would consider Pelion as a potential lead investor.
Fast forward to June 2024 at the annual client conference, Strider Summit, where we had the privilege of attending alongside experts from the intelligence and security communities. We quietly took seats in the back. As we introduced ourselves to the person sitting next to us, we learned that he was the leader of quantum security at one of the most recognizable software companies in the world. When we asked his thoughts on Strider, his immediate response was, “There’s nothing out there like Strider.” He went on to emphasize that managing insider risk will only grow in importance and that every software company should be talking about this.
Next, we were able to chat with the Managing Director of one of the world’s most prominent banks. He described Strider’s impact on their security operations as “magical.” These were not isolated comments; they echoed in conversations we had encountered throughout our diligence process and throughout the rest of the summit. The room was filled with C-suite executives from some of the largest Fortune 100 companies spanning every imaginable vertical: software, manufacturing, financial services, government, higher education, and more. The level of enthusiasm and respect for Strider’s technology was palpable.
Adding to all this is the fact that Strider has recruited some of the most accomplished leaders in global security. David Vigneault, former Director of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), has joined Strider as Managing Director of the Global Intelligence Unit. Paul Maddison, former High Commissioner of Canada to Australia and Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy, has come on board as an advisor alongside Admiral (Ret.) Craig Faller, former Commander, U.S. Southern Command.
The roster is STACKED.
As for Eric and Greg, many on our team have had the privilege of watching their individual journeys for years. Eric, once an intern at Pelion, moved his family to Muscat, Oman to work for the Oman Investment Authority, a role that launched his career in international investments and global business relations, particularly in Eastern Europe and North Asia. Meanwhile, Greg was building a distinguished career in Virginia as an expert in international business advisory, focusing on China.
Mike Brown, the third co-founder and Chief Data Officer at Strider brings over two decades of experience as a technology executive leading at companies like ComScore, ID.me, CSRA, and IBM. The co-founders combined experience in geopolitics, international business security, and technology is unparalleled, and it was clear that these unique insights led them to the founding of Strider.
Building a successful business is hard. It takes more than great founders, smart tech, or unique insight—it requires all of this, plus perfect timing and favorable macroeconomic conditions. With all these elements aligning, the Strider team has built something truly special.
Strider’s proprietary, AI-driven global intelligence platform helps organizations proactively protect their intellectual property and mitigate risks such as state-sponsored threats and supply chain vulnerabilities. With offices in Utah, Virginia, London, and Tokyo, many customers in the Fortune 100, Strider is signing seven-figure contracts and transforming how companies defend their assets on the global stage—all while maintaining a remarkably efficient burn rate.
And this is just the beginning. With fresh capital, Strider is poised to accelerate the development of their platform, expand further into Europe and Asia, and increase their presence in the public sector. As more organizations across industries recognize the pressing need for proactive strategic intelligence, Strider is positioned to lead the charge. They are not just protecting the innovation of the free world—they are empowering it.
At Pelion, we are thrilled to back such visionary founders whose company is already making waves in a massive market. Strider is building something extraordinary while pushing the boundaries of innovation. We are confident they will continue to shape the future of global intelligence with unmatched precision and impact.
