Hardshell
Category: AI in Cybersecurity
A data-centric security platform designed to protect sensitive, proprietary, and mission-critical data that powers AI systems against threats like data leakage, model theft, and data poisoning. Hardshell was founded in 2025. The company is led by Andrew Schoka. Based in Charlottesville, VA, USA. Team size: 1-10. Total funding raised: $1.1M. Latest round: Incubator Funding, Undisclosed, 2025-06, led by University of Virginia i.Lab Incubator. Key investors include University of Virginia i.Lab Incubator, VTC Ventures, Front Porch Venture Partners, Blu Venture Investors, MoJo Ventures, Not Yet Ventures, Black Prism Capital Partners, CAV Angels.
- Founded
- 2025
- Headquarters
- Charlottesville, VA, USA
- Team size
- 1-10
- Total funding
- $1.1M
Value proposition
Building the data-centric foundation of the modern AI security stack to protect what matters most when deploying AI.
Products and solutions
Platform for securing AI systems against data leakage, model theft, and data poisoning., Monitoring and policy enforcement for sensitive data in AI pipelines.
Unique value
Data-centric approach to AI security, building a foundational security layer for mission-critical and sensitive data. Founded by veterans of U.S. national security and cyber operations.
Target customer
Enterprises and government agencies in high-stakes, regulated industries deploying mission-critical AI systems.
Industries served
Defense, Financial Services, Healthcare, Technology/Software
Technology advantage
Deep expertise in offensive cyber operations and AI security for mission-critical government systems. Focus on protecting the data itself within AI pipelines, not just the models.
How they differentiate
Hardshell is focused on data-centric security at the foundational layer of AI systems, aiming to protect sensitive data before it reaches the model, which is a more specialized approach than broader MLOps platforms.
Main competitors
Lakera, ProtectAI, Robust Intelligence, Adversa AI
Key partnerships
University of Virginia i.Lab Incubator, Starburst National Landing Launchpad, Lighthouse Network, 434 Accelerator
Notable customers
Not publicly disclosed
Major milestones
Accepted into the University of Virginia's i.Lab Incubator program for the summer 2025 cohort., Developing the platform with a focus on high-stakes sectors like defense, finance, and healthcare., Raised $1.1M in pre-seed funding (February 2026) from VTC Ventures, Front Porch Venture Partners, Blu Venture Investors, and others., Won $100K non-dilutive grant at the 10th Annual Veteran Startup Showcase (May 2026).
Growth metrics
Pre-revenue, currently in development. Completed UVA i.Lab Incubator program. Gearing up to execute first commercial contracts. Raised $1.1M pre-seed. Team of 5+ employees.
Market positioning
A specialized provider of data-centric, foundational security for AI systems, particularly for high-stakes, regulated industries.
Geographic focus
North America
Patents and IP
Not publicly disclosed.
About Andrew Schoka
Former U.S. Army Cyber Warfare Officer who served in offensive cyber operations with Election Security Group at U.S. Cyber Command and U.S. Special Operations Command. Holds M.S. in Cybersecurity from Georgia Tech and B.S. in Systems Engineering from Virginia Tech. Currently MBA candidate at UVA Darden (Class of 2026). Published cybersecurity researcher, conference speaker at RSA and BSides Charm, and graduate cybersecurity instructor at UVA.
Official website: https://www.hardshell.ai