Runlayer Emerges from Stealth with $11M Funding to Secure AI Agent Deployments
In a significant development for AI security, Runlayer, a startup specializing in securing Model Context Protocol (MCP) deployments, has officially launched from stealth mode. The company has secured $11 million in seed funding from prominent investors, including Keith Rabois of Khosla Ventures and Felicis Ventures. This funding underscores the growing emphasis on fortifying AI infrastructures against emerging threats.
Founding and Leadership
Runlayer was founded by Andrew Berman, a seasoned entrepreneur with a track record of successful ventures. His previous endeavors include Nanit, a baby-monitoring technology company, and Vowel, an AI-driven video conferencing tool that was acquired by Zapier in 2024. Joining Berman are co-founders Tal Peretz and Vitor Balocco, both of whom bring valuable experience from their tenure at Zapier. The leadership team’s collective expertise positions Runlayer to address the complex challenges associated with AI security.
Rapid Adoption and Clientele
Since its inception, Runlayer has experienced rapid adoption, securing partnerships with several high-profile clients. Notably, the company has onboarded eight unicorns and publicly traded companies, including Gusto, dbt Labs, Instacart, and Opendoor. This swift traction highlights the pressing need for robust security solutions in the AI sector.
Addressing MCP Security Gaps
The Model Context Protocol (MCP) was introduced by Anthropic in November 2024 as an open-source project designed to enable AI agents to autonomously access and manipulate data across various systems. While MCP has been widely adopted by major entities such as OpenAI, Microsoft, AWS, and Google, it lacks inherent security features. This deficiency has led to vulnerabilities, including prompt injection attacks and unauthorized data access.
Runlayer aims to bridge these security gaps by offering a comprehensive platform that integrates gateway protection, threat detection, observability, and enterprise developer tools. By doing so, the company ensures that AI agents can operate securely within enterprise environments, mitigating potential risks associated with MCP deployments.
Strategic Advisory and Industry Collaboration
To bolster its technical capabilities, Runlayer has enlisted David Soria Parra, the lead creator of MCP, as an advisor and angel investor. Parra’s involvement brings invaluable insights into the protocol’s intricacies and potential vulnerabilities. Additionally, the company has attracted advisors and investors such as Travis McPeak, head of security at Cursor, and Nikita Shamgunov, founder of Neon. These collaborations underscore Runlayer’s commitment to building a secure and reliable platform for AI agent deployments.
Market Position and Future Outlook
In a landscape where AI security is becoming increasingly critical, Runlayer distinguishes itself through its holistic approach to MCP security. By addressing the protocol’s inherent vulnerabilities and providing a unified security platform, the company positions itself as a leader in the AI security domain. The recent funding will enable Runlayer to further develop its platform, expand its team, and enhance its market presence.
As AI continues to permeate various sectors, the importance of securing AI infrastructures cannot be overstated. Runlayer’s emergence from stealth mode and its successful funding round signal a proactive step toward safeguarding AI deployments, ensuring that organizations can harness the full potential of AI without compromising security.
