revel8 raises €7M to turn employees into AI-powered human firewalls against cyberattacks — TFN

Berlin-based cybersecurity startup revel8 has secured €7 million in funding, together with a €5.7 million seed spherical led by Peak together with Fortino Capital, Merantix Capital, and several other well-known enterprise angels. The recent capital will probably be used to broaden revel8’s AI-driven platform, which trains enterprise workers to recognise and defend towards AI-powered cyberattacks.

Cyber threats powered by generative AI are quickly reshaping the danger panorama. Incidents of voice phishing, or vishing, surged by 442% in 2024 alone. Current high-profile assaults embody a $25 million deepfake rip-off focusing on a financial institution supervisor in Hong Kong and a £300 million loss as a consequence of voice phishing at Marks & Spencer earlier this yr.

“Conventional e-learnings are outdated. Coaching customers with lifelike replicas of the newest, related scams proves to be way more efficient,” says Julius Muth, co-founder and CEO of revel8, in a dialog with TFN. 

The corporate’s platform simulates real-world cyberattacks tailor-made to every worker’s function and behavior, serving to organisations construct a strong safety tradition.

The story of revel8

revel8 was based by former Celonis workers Julius Muth, Tom Müller, and Robert Seilbeck. Their purpose is formidable: to coach 10 million “human firewalls” by 2028 and to empower folks to be the strongest line of defence towards AI-driven attacker techniques.

Reflecting on their motivation, Muth shares: “The journey started when the three founders met on the German software program decacorn Celonis. They witnessed firsthand how prospects had been more and more falling sufferer to stylish cyberattacks, whereas outdated IT safety coaching failed to guard them… The founders united round a shared mission: to empower people, who stay the weakest hyperlink in cybersecurity. With AI now weaponised towards workers, numerous firms had been left weak.”

Presently, the group of twenty-two is roughly 25% girls and 75% males, with roughly 20% from worldwide backgrounds. “Whereas we’re nonetheless early in our journey, we’re dedicated to rising extra various and inclusive as we scale, as a result of tackling international cyber threats takes a very international group,” says Muth.

Progressive AI-native expertise

revel8 stands out as the primary AI-native human cyber defence platform designed particularly to fight generative AI social engineering assaults.Muth emphasises, “By constantly exposing customers to cyberattacks throughout all communication channels, we assist purchasers to construct a powerful safety tradition and cut back the danger of expensive incidents.”

Its expertise leverages AI-powered, personalised assault simulations that replicate deepfake calls, vishing, smishing, and spear-phishing: the techniques actual attackers use. Every situation is crafted utilizing open-source intelligence (OSINT) for max realism, tailor-made to the person worker’s threat profile in what Muth calls a “Spotify playlist” of assaults.

Gamified micro-trainings flip each simulation into brief, participating classes. The platform’s low-code structure allows simple scaling throughout enterprises, whereas compliance-ready reporting helps meet laws akin to NIS2 and ISO 27001.

Opponents like KnowBe4 and SoSafe largely use static content material. Revel8’s edge lies in adapting dynamically to the evolving techniques of AI-powered attackers. “In contrast to conventional consciousness platforms, which depend on static templates and generic coaching, revel8 brings actual threats into the coaching room,” states Muth.

What’s subsequent?

Revel8 plans to relocate from Berlin to Munich in early 2026 and goals to change into Europe’s main AI-native human cyber defence platform. Their aggressive purpose is to coach 10 million “human firewalls” by 2028.

“In 5 years, we’re hopefully nonetheless the very best at replicating scams and defending people all over the world,” says Muth. The corporate intends to take a position closely in R&D, broaden throughout European markets, and construct a group hub for CISOs and the broader cybersecurity ecosystem.

“With this funding, we are able to absolutely give attention to constructing the options our prospects really want, whereas scaling our group of proficient younger ‘revels’ into a powerful, international organisation.”