Approov Secures £5 Million in Series A Funding to Revolutionize Mobile App Security for the AI Era
Approov Limited, a trailblazer in mobile app and API security, has successfully closed a £5 million (US$6.7 million) Series A funding round. This investment, led by the Investment Fund for Scotland—managed by Maven Capital Partners (“Maven”)—also saw participation from Souter Investments, along with existing investors Lanza techVentures and Scottish Enterprise. The funding will enable Approov to expand its Research & Development team in Edinburgh, accelerating the development of cutting-edge technologies designed to safeguard mobile applications and APIs against emerging threats, including those driven by artificial intelligence (AI). With its patented mobile attestation technology, Approov offers a cloud-first alternative to traditional code obfuscation, addressing the growing tide of agentic AI threats that pose significant risks to apps and APIs.
A Transformative Approach to Mobile App Security
As cyber threats continue to evolve, developers and enterprises are increasingly recognizing that mobile app security cannot be treated as an afterthought. Approov’s innovative solutions authenticate every mobile app instance and protect backend APIs from fraud, abuse, and unauthorized access. This ensures that mobile applications remain secure even in today’s rapidly shifting threat landscape.
“This funding marks a pivotal moment in our mission to ensure that every mobile app instance is authenticated and that backend APIs are protected from fraud, abuse, and unauthorized access,” said Ted Miracco, CEO of Approov. “The threat landscape continues to evolve, and developers and enterprises alike are realizing that mobile app security must be prioritized from the outset.”
Addressing Mobile Security Amid Regulatory Shifts
The timing of this investment is particularly significant as global regulatory frameworks undergo transformative changes. The EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) and the UK’s Digital Markets, Competition, and Consumers (DMCC) bill are reshaping the mobile app ecosystem, challenging the dominance of Apple and Google’s app store duopolies. These regulations aim to foster competition by enabling developers to distribute apps directly to consumers, bypassing traditional gatekeepers and reclaiming up to 30% of revenues typically lost to platform fees.
“As mobile ecosystems face AI-driven threats and new regulations like the EU Digital Markets Act and UK consumer laws, the need for strong, independent app and API security is urgent,” said Dr. Edward Amoroso, CEO of TAG Infosphere and former Chief Information Security Officer at AT&T. “Approov delivers essential trust across fragmented platforms, including non-GMS Android and HarmonyOS. Maven Capital Partners’ investment reflects growing recognition that API protection—across any device or OS—is key to securing digital infrastructure in this new cyber risk era.”
Patented Technology Driving Innovation
A key driver behind this funding round was Approov’s robust intellectual property portfolio. The company’s patented solution provides real-time app attestation and runtime API protection, preventing exploits from tools such as rooted devices, emulators, app tampering frameworks, and credential stuffing bots. Trusted by global customers across industries like healthcare, fintech, connected vehicles, and e-commerce, Approov ensures secure digital engagement even in the most hostile environments.
“Approov is a leading innovator in mobile app and API security with proven applications in multiple target sectors,” said Craig McGill, Investment Manager at Maven Capital Partners. “With their strong IP and the growing demand for API-level defenses across the industry, the business is uniquely positioned to lead this next era of mobile security. We look forward to working with Ted and the team to drive the business forward at such an exciting point in the company’s growth journey.”
Empowering Developers Against Emerging Threats
The rise of AI-driven cyberattacks has heightened the need for scalable, robust security solutions. Approov’s real-time app attestation technology addresses this challenge by ensuring that only legitimate, untampered apps can access critical APIs. This approach not only protects sensitive data but also mitigates risks posed by sophisticated AI-powered threats.
“This investment validates Approov’s vision of a safer mobile app ecosystem,” said Dr. Lucio Lanza, Chairman of Approov Limited and Founder of Lanza techVentures. “With increasing cyber risks driven by AI, Approov solutions provide the robust, scalable security mobile developers need to protect their applications and API communications. We are grateful for the confidence our investors have shown and are excited about the opportunity to expand our footprint in this critical market.”
A Safer Future for Mobile Applications
As the digital landscape becomes increasingly fragmented and complex, the need for comprehensive mobile app and API security has never been more pressing. Approov’s cloud-first approach eliminates the limitations of brittle code obfuscation, offering a dynamic and adaptive solution that evolves with the threat landscape. By empowering developers to securely distribute apps outside traditional app stores and protecting APIs from unauthorized access, Approov is paving the way for a more open, competitive, and secure mobile ecosystem.
The £5 million Series A funding round underscores the growing recognition of Approov’s role in shaping the future of mobile security. With a focus on innovation, scalability, and real-time protection, Approov is well-positioned to lead the charge in defending against AI-driven threats and ensuring trust across fragmented platforms. As the company expands its R&D efforts and strengthens its technological capabilities, it is poised to redefine mobile app security for the AI era, providing developers and enterprises with the tools they need to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.
In an age where cyber risks are escalating and regulatory landscapes are evolving, Approov stands as a beacon of innovation and reliability. By delivering advanced, real-time security solutions, the company is not only addressing current challenges but also preparing for the threats of tomorrow. For developers, enterprises, and consumers alike, Approov represents a critical step toward a safer, more resilient digital future.
About Approov:
Approov’s app attestation technology has been adopted by major organisations in high-stakes industries, demonstrating its real-world effectiveness. By reducing API attacks by over 95% and preventing bot attacks, man-in-the-middle exploits, and app tampering, Approov is creating a safer digital ecosystem.
For more information about Approov’s mobile security solutions, please visit www.approov.io.
ABOUT MAVEN CAPITAL PARTNERS LLP www.mavencp.com
Maven (a subsidiary of Mattioli Woods plc) is a leading private equity house focused on the provision of flexible funding for high growth businesses, and one of the most active SME investors in the UK. Headquartered in Glasgow, and with offices throughout the UK, Maven has over 100 investment and support professionals providing a truly nationwide coverage. Maven has over £790 million funds under management and available to invest, and manages assets for a variety of client funds, including Venture Capital Trusts, MBO Fund, UK regional fund mandates, and Maven Investor Partners, a syndicate of institutional, family office and experienced investors.
ABOUT THE INVESTMENT FUND FOR SCOTLAND
- Operated by the British Business Bank, the Investment Fund for Scotland (IFS) provides a mix of debt and equity funding. IFS will offer a range of commercial finance options with smaller loans from £25k to £100k, debt finance from £100k to £2 million and equity investment up to £5 million. It works alongside the in-region small business finance ecosystem, local intermediaries such as accountants, fund managers and banks, to support Scotland’s smaller businesses at all stages of their development.
- The funds in which the IFS invests are open to businesses with material operations, or planning to open material operations across Scotland.
- Supported by Nations and Regions Investments Limited, a subsidiary of British Business Bank plc, the Bank is a development bank wholly owned by HM Government. Neither Nations and Regions Investments Limited nor British Business Bank plc are authorised or regulated by the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) or the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). www.investmentfundscotland.co.uk
