He Raised $225 Million To Rewrite The Rules Around Cyber Risks

In a recent episode of The Dealmakers’ Podcast, we had the privilege of speaking with the visionary leader behind Vishaal ‘V8’ Hariprasad, a groundbreaking cybersecurity company that is transforming the landscape of digital protection.

This conversation delved deep into V8’s journey, from its inception to remarkable accomplishments.

Join us as we explore the inspiring narrative of a leader who is driving change, innovation, and resilience in the realm of cybersecurity.

Listen to the full podcast episode and review the transcript here.

Roots of Resilience: A Journey of Community and Passion

At the heart of every success story lies a foundation built upon experiences and influences that shape an individual’s trajectory. Resilience’s founder, V8’s founder, shared how the strength of community and culture from his upbringing in the South Bronx profoundly impacted his outlook.

Growing up surrounded by diverse Caribbean cultures, the importance of unity, shared survival, and mutual appreciation were instilled in him. This sense of community translated into a profound awareness of service and a fascination with aviation.

Inspired by planes flying overhead in his hometown, his journey led him to embrace the concept of not just flying high but also delving deep into cybersecurity.

With the advent of the digital age and the events of 9/11, his calling took on a new dimension, that of defending against cyber threats, a mission to protect the digital skies.

From Confrontation to Collaboration: A Dual Insight

The episode highlighted the pivotal moment when V8 shifted from a focus solely on flying to a broader view of security and service. The events of 9/11 served as a catalyst that led him to realize the importance of more than just technical proficiency.

It became evident that innovation, lean practices, and a nuanced understanding of adversaries were vital for success. These lessons were magnified during his tenure at the National Security Agency (NSA), where he witnessed the intersection of leadership, innovation, and technology in the fight against cyber threats.

Here, he gleaned valuable insights on driving innovation while navigating complex missions and respecting adversaries’ perspectives.

Evolution of Cybersecurity: Navigating the Digital Revolution

The digital revolution has reshaped the landscape of businesses across industries, accelerating due to the recent global pandemic. Every entity, directly or indirectly, now faces cyber risks.

V8 emphasized the shift from viewing cybersecurity as a peripheral tool to its integration into our daily lives and operations. This shift, much like the industrial revolution of the past, has given birth to a new digital economy—one where cyber is central.

The Birth of Resilience: A Shift in Approach

The birth of V8, initially known as Arceo AI, was rooted in the ambition to connect technical security layers, processes, and personnel to enhance cyber hygiene.

While the original model targeted the insurance industry, the realization that innovation could be driven more effectively in-house led to a transformative pivot.

V8 embraced its current mission—to shift the economics of cybersecurity—by quantifying and aligning risk, technology, and insurance. He successfully raised $37M for his startup, with Lightspeed Venture Partners leading the round.

Navigating the Ecosystem: Lessons in Growth and Investment

The episode offered valuable insights into V8’s journey in terms of investment and growth.

Our guest emphasized the importance of aligning investor expectations with realistic projections and valuations, a delicate balancing act that requires transparency, credibility, and a shared vision.

As a globally distributed team, V8 faces the challenges of remote work and diverse time zones. Communication, empathy, and intentional human connections are pivotal in bridging the gap and maintaining team cohesion.

Frequent gatherings and clear communication were highlighted as key practices in sustaining unity and clarity within a geographically dispersed workforce.

Eventually, Arseo AI was rebranded as Resilience Insurance and has raised more than $225M.

Storytelling is everything, which is something that V8 was able to master. Being able to capture the essence of what you are doing in 15 to 20 slides is the key. For a winning deck, take a look at the pitch deck template created by Silicon Valley legend, Peter Thiel (see it here), where the most critical slides are highlighted.

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A Future Realized: A World Without Cyber Fear

The episode concluded with a glimpse into the future—a future where cyber threats are no longer sensationalized headlines. Instead, cybersecurity is an integrated part of daily life, as commonplace as insuring against physical property risks.

This vision is grounded in the certainty and clarity that comes from having a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy, making the world harder for malicious actors, and creating a safer digital environment.

In essence, the conversation with V8 illuminated a journey from roots to Resilience, from transformative pivots to a vision of a future free from the specter of cybercrime.

V8 stands as a testament to the power of innovation, collaboration, and purpose in reshaping the cybersecurity landscape and empowering businesses for a secure digital tomorrow.

Listen to the full episode for more details, including:

• Growing up in a culturally diverse community that laid the foundation for understanding unity, reliance, and mutual support as essential elements in cybersecurity and innovation
• The turning point of 9/11 highlighting the need for innovative cybersecurity strategies that combine technical excellence with an empathetic understanding of adversaries.
• Understanding how the digital revolution has integrated cybersecurity into daily life
• Marking a paradigm shift where cyber risks are an intrinsic aspect of our interconnected world.
• A journey showcasing the power of adaptability, as a shift from selling technology to underwriting cyber insurance, leading to a transformative pivot and the creation of a holistic approach to cyber resilience.
• Aligning investor expectations with realistic projections and valuations forms the cornerstone of successful growth, requiring transparency, credibility, and a shared vision.
• Navigating a global workforce necessitating intentional communication, empathy, and frequent gatherings to foster unity and clarity across geographically dispersed teams.
• Future of Cybersecurity in a world where cyber threats are no longer sensationalized headlines envisioning a future where comprehensive cybersecurity strategies make malicious activities less viable, creating a safer digital environment for all.

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