Emerging Security Firm Targets AI's Weakest Link

In an era where artificial intelligence handles everything from payroll to patient records, Runlayer has stepped forward with solutions for one of tech's most pressing concerns: keeping AI systems from becoming security liabilities.

Founded last year by Andrew Berman—the mind behind baby monitor company Nanit and video conferencing tool Vowel—Runlayer isn't just another cybersecurity startup. It's built its reputation on solving problems most companies don't realize they have yet.

The MCP Protocol Problem

The heart of Runlayer's mission lies in securing the MCP protocol, an open-source framework that's become the plumbing connecting AI agents to critical business data. While revolutionary in allowing autonomous data processing, MCP implementations have shown alarming gaps.

"We've seen everything from exposed GitHub repositories to potential customer data leaks," explains Berman. Recent discoveries by Invariant Labs and Asana revealed vulnerabilities that could have turned convenient AI tools into corporate nightmares.

From Stealth Mode to Spotlight

What makes Runlayer's story remarkable is its rapid traction. Within four months of quiet launch, the company onboarded major clients including HR platform Gusto and real estate disruptor Opendoor. Their secret? Combining gateway protection with real-time threat detection—all while maintaining observability that IT teams actually understand.

The $11 million seed round, backed by Khosla Ventures' Keith Rabois and Felicis, suggests investors see similar potential. Adding David Soria Parra—MCP protocol's chief architect—as advisor gives technical credibility most startups envy.

How It Works

Runlayer's system acts as both bouncer and bodyguard for AI operations:

• Permission Mirroring: Ensures AI agents never exceed human user access rights
• Threat Detection: Spots anomalous behavior patterns before damage occurs
• Process Sandboxing: Contains potential breaches without disrupting workflows

The approach reflects Berman's philosophy: "Security shouldn't mean sacrificing productivity. Our tools let businesses harness AI's power without losing sleep over what might go wrong."

As companies increasingly rely on autonomous systems handling sensitive data, solutions like Runlayer's may determine whether AI becomes a trusted partner or a persistent liability.

Key Points:

• 🚀 Runlayer secures $11M backing while addressing critical MCP protocol flaws
• 🔒 Combines gateway protection with real-time monitoring for AI systems
• 🤝 Already protecting major clients including Instacart and Opendoor
• 💡 Founder brings track record from Nanit and Vowel to new security challenge