A former Facebook chief security officer whose resume includes stops at FBI computer forensics, the National Security Agency and U.S. Cyber Command is moving his cybersecurity startup to Austin from San Francisco.
Max Kelly, who co-founded Redacted Inc. in 2015 after leaving the NSA, and several of the company's other executives are moving to Austin. That includes co-founder John Hering, who was previously co-founder and CEO of Bay Area security startup Lookout.
While the company is moving its HQ here, it operates remotely and won't have an office, part of a growing trend among tech startups.
“Since day one [redacted] has operated a virtual office because we are intent on hiring the world’s best cybersecurity talent ... and don’t want any roadblocks getting in the way of doing just that,” Kelly stated. “Austin has a growing and vibrant security industry that we look forward to joining.”
The local cybersecurity ecosystem is flush with talent and successful companies, including big players like SailPoint and Forcepoint, as well as startups such as Ontic, Hypori and SpyCloud.
Redacted has 90 employees and says it will hire 50 more before the end of 2022. That will include sales and technical roles. The company's website says about 60% of employees came from the intelligence community. It also notes women make up 50% of its executive team and 19% of its staff. Meanwhile, 17% of its staff are minorities.
It wasn't clear how many of its employees are based in Austin, although the company noted that Texas is home to its second largest group of employees.
The company has raised $60 million in funding, including in 2021 a $35 million series B round led by Ten Eleven Ventures.
Redacted's recent growth extends to Bracket F Inc., a subsidiary launched earlier this year to focus on the government sector. Austin is home to Army Futures Command and other military innovation branches. But the company said that didn't play a direct role in its relocation decision.
"As we build the bracket f, Inc. business, relationships with major government hubs around the country is extremely important," a company spokesperson said.
