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Apate.AI

Category: AI in Cybersecurity

AI-powered cyber-intelligence startup developing an anti-scam bot army to disrupt and dismantle the business models of scammers. Apate.AI was founded in 2022. The company is led by Dali Kaafar. Based in Sydney, Australia. Team size: 11-50. Total funding raised: $2.5 million. Latest round: Seed. Key investors include Australia’s Economic Accelerator (AEA), Office of National Intelligence.

Founded
2022
Headquarters
Sydney, Australia
Team size
11-50
Total funding
$2.5 million

Value proposition

Proactively disrupts scam operations by deploying advanced conversational AI bots to waste scammers' time and resources, while gathering intelligence to protect businesses and communities.

Products and solutions

AI-powered conversational bots (bot army), Real-time scam intelligence and analytics platform

Unique value

Apate.AI's approach is unique as it moves beyond mere detection and blocking of scams. It actively engages with scammers using an army of AI bots to waste their time and disrupt their operations, effectively 'scamming the scammers'.

Target customer

Telecommunications providers, financial institutions, governments, and law enforcement agencies.

Industries served

Telecommunications, Financial Services, Government, Law Enforcement

Technology advantage

The core advantage lies in their advanced conversational AI and the ability to gather real-time intelligence on scam operations. This proactive disruption model provides a higher level of protection and actionable insights compared to traditional reactive cybersecurity measures.

How they differentiate

Apate.AI differentiates itself by proactively 'scamming the scammers.' It uses an army of advanced conversational AI bots to engage with and waste scammers' time, aiming to disrupt their business models from the inside, rather than just blocking or detecting them. This approach also allows them to gather near real-time intelligence on scam tactics.

Main competitors

Nexusflow, AirMDR, CallAssistant.AI

Key partnerships

Macquarie University Cyber Security Hub, Collaboration with major telecommunications providers and financial institutions in Australia.

Notable customers

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CommBank)

Major milestones

Secured $2.5 million in a Seed funding round., Launched a pilot program with Commonwealth Bank, Australia's largest bank., Received federal funding from Australia's Economic Accelerator (AEA) and the Office of National Intelligence., Successfully spun out of Macquarie University's cybersecurity research hub.

Growth metrics

Public growth metrics are not available, but the company has helped Australian telecommunication companies reject approximately 2 billion scam calls.

Market positioning

Positioned as a specialized cyber-intelligence firm focused on proactive disruption of scam operations through AI-powered counter-scamming technology.

Geographic focus

Primarily focused on Australia, with key partnerships and funding originating from Australian government bodies and corporations.

Patents and IP

Information not publicly available.

About Dali Kaafar

Founder & CEO of Apate.AI with over 15 years in cybersecurity research. Previously served as a Senior Principal Research Scientist at CSIRO's Data61 and is currently the Executive Director of the Macquarie University Cyber Security Hub.

Official website: