While working on IoT security in the mid-2010s, Alex Zenla identified a significant issue: IoT devices, which relied on less powerful chips compared to PCs and servers, lacked sufficient cloud protections. This vulnerability stemmed from the fact that these devices were often directly linked to local networks, exposing them to potential attacks. Zenla, a talented teenager at the time who was immersed in the world of IoT and open source development, began developing a solution that would allow almost any device to function within its own isolated cloud environment, termed a "container." Today, ten years later, she is among the three female cofounders of Edera, a security company aiming to transform cloud infrastructure resource sharing.
Edera focuses on cloud workload isolation technology, which may seem niche, yet it addresses a widespread security concern associated with shared cloud setups, especially relevant in light of burgeoning AI workloads. Current GPU designs prioritize efficiency and capacity, leaving them susceptible to security risks. If an attacker can penetrate one area, they can potentially gain broader access to the system.
Zenla emphasizes the difficulty of the challenges both in GPU design and container isolation, noting that many have accepted unacceptable trade-offs in security. Following an earlier $5 million seed round, Edera announced a new $15 million Series A funding led by Microsoft’s venture fund, M12. This achievement stands out particularly in a venture capital environment characterized by a notable lack of support for female founders.
Despite the prevailing male dominance in tech funding—where most dollars flow to male founders—Edera’s all-female founding team, including two trans women, is a significant anomaly. Female-led startups often face substantial hurdles in securing financing, particularly for subsequent funding rounds, and encounter bias that complicates efforts after project failures.
Edera’s co-founder and CEO, Emily Long, acknowledges their minority status within the industry and the adverse factors that fail to uplift them. She highlights how their existence and uniqueness attract skilled women from top companies, suggesting that representation can inspire change.
For Zenla, Long, and fellow co-founder Ariadne Conill—who has a strong background in open source and security—the aim of Edera’s technology is to simplify the implementation of robust security measures for network engineers and IT professionals. Their goal is to ensure that vulnerabilities in one part of a network do not proliferate into larger-scale breaches. Long points out the reality that many organizations rely on outdated software, creating significant risks due to their inability to patch every vulnerability.
Ultimately, Edera seeks to eliminate the need for companies to choose between innovation, performance, and security in their infrastructure, striving to set a new standard for cloud security.
