Netherlands-based Tidal Control, a compliance automation platform for startups, scale-ups and other SMBs, announced that it has secured €500K in a pre-seed round of funding to advance Europe’s first platform automating compliance activities.
The investment was led by Brabantse Ontwikkelings Maatschappij and Rabobank, with participation from Starterslift and Bossche Investerings Maatschappij’s data and ICT startersfund.
Robin Hendrickx, investment manager of BOM, says, “The growing dependence on digital systems and the rise of disruptive technologies such as AI increase the risk of cyber-attacks and data breaches. And this throughout the chain, from startup to enterprise.”
“We believe that setting up and monitoring IT security mechanisms will become a ’license to operate’. Tidal Control has the potential to become the fundamental infrastructure for this,” adds Hendrickx.
Compliance automation platform for startups
According to Tidal Control, tech startups developing software for organisations handling sensitive data often pursue certifications like ISO27001 and SOC2 to demonstrate information security.
These certifications have become crucial for selling to larger clients. Yet, the ongoing effort to meet and maintain these standards poses a significant strain on the limited resources of startups and scale-ups.
Tech startups undergo rigorous certification processes, revealing details about their software, underlying infrastructure, and operational protocols like employee screening and access management.
This undertaking, demanding months, substantial funds, and continuous documentation exchange with consultants and auditors, poses significant challenges.
Dennis van de Wiel, co-founder of Tidal Control, says, “We are all using more and more cloud tools and exchanging data with each other automatically. But who knows all the 700 security settings of Microsoft Azure? Then give your customers the confidence that you manage their data safely. Tidal Control bridges the gap by continuously monitoring all your tools.”
Tidal Control’s software streamlines the compliance process, offering automated guidance through the steps, including continuous monitoring for ongoing compliance.
The platform ensures certification and is utilised by a range of businesses, from early-stage startups to those with 2,000 employees, enabling real-time monitoring of their information security.
Tidal Control was founded in 2021 by Dennis van de Wiel, Max Hovens and Martijn Sprengers.
Brief about the investors supporting Tidal Control
The Brabantse Ontwikkelings Maatschappij (BOM) fuels innovation-driven entrepreneurship, supporting and financing startups in sustainable food, health, climate-neutral energy, and key technologies. It is an executive agency of the Province of North Brabant and the Ministry of Economic Affairs & Climate.
The Rabobank Innovation Fund (IFR) propels innovation and sustainability in the Netherlands by offering the Rabo Innovation Loan. This financial support is reserved annually to aid early-stage Dutch entrepreneurs with innovative digitalisation, sustainability, or societal vitalisation ideas.
The Bossche Investerings Maatschappij (BIM) is a public investment company in Northeast Brabant, actively fostering economic activity and strengthening the economic structure in the ’s-Hertogenbosch region. Through initiatives like themed communities and collaborative programs, BIM aims to position the area as a top business destination in the Netherlands.
Starterslift Investments, operational since 2006, offers pre-seed investment to startups in North Brabant, thanks to support from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate, the Province of North Brabant, and the municipalities of Breda and Tilburg.
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