Startup Groundcover has made a splash in the competitive observability market by introducing a unique blend of features that leverage eBPF (extended Berkeley Packet Filter) technology. Founded in 2021, Groundcover seeks to address two major pain points: the complexity of application instrumentation and erratic costs tied to data volume-based pricing models. Their innovative approach allows companies to monitor a broader range of their infrastructure without incurring prohibitive costs, which has been a common challenge in the industry.
Groundcover co-founder and CEO Shahar Azulay, previously a machine learning manager at Apple, identified gaps in existing observability tools while experiencing firsthand the difficulties faced by operators. The startup has since attracted attention and funding, recently announcing a $35 million Series B round, bringing their total funding to $60 million.
At the heart of Groundcover’s offering is eBPF technology, which has been integral for network observability. However, Groundcover’s application of eBPF extends beyond just network monitoring; it provides in-depth visibility into operational workflows within the OS kernel. This technology allows Groundcover to track application-level processes and traffic, yielding insights even if the data is encrypted at transmission.
The company employs two types of eBPF probes for data collection: one operating at the kernel level, capturing system-level information, and another within user space, offering visibility into specific application activity. This dual approach allows for comprehensive monitoring and performance profiling, timestamping operations across the entire application stack, which traditional observability tools might miss.
In terms of pricing and data management, Groundcover stands out with its "bring your own cloud" model, enabling clients to keep their data within their own infrastructure. This not only enhances data privacy but also mitigates excessive costs associated with external data storage. Azulay pointed out that this method fosters an environment where companies can increase their monitoring capabilities without the threat of escalating costs limiting their operations.
Recent announcements from Groundcover at KubeCon EU 2025 highlighted significant platform updates—including support for Kubernetes monitoring and new log monitoring features, designed to help users gain deeper insights into their infrastructure.
Armed with fresh investment, Groundcover intends to bolster its presence in the U.S. market, where it has already successfully lured customers away from established players. The company also plans to explore adjacent areas such as security monitoring and cloud cost optimization, leveraging its robust data collection capabilities.
Groundcover Snapshot:
- Founded: 2021
- Funding: $60 million
- Investors: Zeev Ventures, Angular Ventures, Heavybit, and Jibe Ventures
- Headquarters: Tel Aviv, Israel
- CEO: Shahar Azulay
- Specialty: Application performance monitoring and observability.
