GetReal Secures $17.5M to Fight AI Deepfakes and Protect Businesses
The rise of AI has brought with it a concerning trend: the proliferation of incredibly realistic deepfakes. These deceptive creations are already causing significant financial damage to companies through scams and pose serious national security risks. To address this growing threat, GetReal, a startup specializing in deepfake detection and prevention, has announced a successful $17.5 million funding round.
GetReal's mission is to provide governments and enterprises with the tools they need to identify and neutralize deepfakes and impersonations across audio, video, and images. The company was co-founded by Hany Farid, a renowned expert in the field of digital image forensics.
GetReal's Forensics-as-a-Service Platform
With the new funding, GetReal is launching its forensics-as-a-service platform. This platform offers a comprehensive suite of tools, including a web interface, an API, and integrations for streamlined media analysis. Key features include:
- Threat Exposure Dashboard: Provides a clear overview of potential deepfake threats.
- Inspect: A tool designed to protect high-profile executives from being spoofed.
- Protect: A feature to screen media for deepfake manipulation.
- Respond: A service that involves human experts at GetReal conducting in-depth analysis of suspicious media.
Strategic Investors Back GetReal
The Series A funding round was led by Forgepoint Capital, a firm specializing in cybersecurity and AI. Other notable investors include Ballistic Ventures, Evolution Equity, and K2 Access Fund. Ballistic Ventures played a crucial role in GetReal's early development, incubating the startup from 2022 until its public launch in June 2024. Ted Schlein, the founder of Ballistic Ventures, also serves as the chairman and co-founder of GetReal.
Matt Moynahan, CEO of GetReal, emphasizes the critical need for expertise in cyber-forensics, stating, "If you think cybersecurity has a shortage of people, get ready for forensics." He notes that the threat posed by malicious deepfakes is exceptionally pervasive, even comparing it to the evolution of viruses.
The company's approach involves a combination of cutting-edge technology and deep expertise in digital forensics. While the technology is constantly adapting to new deepfake techniques, GetReal leverages decades of fundamental knowledge that remains relevant.
The Series A round also includes strategic backers such as Cisco Investments, Capital One Ventures, and In-Q-Tel, highlighting the broad interest in GetReal's technology across various sectors.
Alberto Yépez, co-founder of Forgepoint, notes that heavily regulated industries, such as financial institutions, are already seeking solutions like GetReal. Furthermore, government agencies are recognizing the urgent need to address deepfake threats to national security.
Source: TechCrunch