Summerville, SC – South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA) announces its affiliate, SC Launch, Inc.’s, investment of $250,000 in Hook Security. The Greenville-based startup is a cybersecurity training provider focused on reducing the risks of cyberattacks for all types of companies.
Hook Security became an SCRA Member Company in 2019, and a Portfolio Company the same year with an initial investment of $250,000. They received this additional investment in May bringing the total to $500,000, reflected on the big check presented by SCRA Executive Director, Bob Quinn, and Investment Manager, Lee MacIlwinen, during DIG South’s Wild Pitch event.
Hook Security’s platform enables businesses to launch, measure, and automate cybersecurity phishing tests and security awareness training programs with ease. The trainings use relevant content to coach and entertain employees into using safer behaviors that protect themselves and their employers.
“Cyberattacks are more common than ever, and the risk to businesses is greater than ever. What used to be a best practice activity is now a critical necessity for all organizations. Hook Security has developed a unique approach to the training they offer, making it ‘edu-taining,’ and user-friendly for employees,” said Lee MacIlwinen, SCRA Investment Manager.
“We’ve developed an entertaining way to offer training for something that is very serious. The uniqueness of our platform is why we are a growing business. We offer services including phishing tests, security awareness training, compliance training, and PsySec, our psychological approach to training. Having trusted partners like the SCRA and SC Launch, Inc. teams is also a big part of our continued success. They believed in what we were trying to do from the first time we shared our vision with them,” said Zachary Eikenberry, Hook Security CEO.
“It was a pleasure to present the big check to Zach and Adam. They’ve worked hard on growing their company and we’re a proud partner in their success,” said Bob Quinn, SCRA Executive Director. “The service they offer is top-of-mind for all organizations, and we’re excited to support such a critical need.”
Hook Security was recently featured in Forbes in an article that addressed how an organization’s culture and its safety go hand-in-hand. As mentioned in the article,“Entrepreneurs can learn from Hook Security’s holistic approach to tackling a common business issue. Instead of creating quick fixes that cause greater stress or uncertainty for employees, they went right to the root cause of the problem: lack of unity in companies.”
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About SC Launch Inc.
Established in 2006, SC Launch, Inc., is an independent, nonprofit corporation affiliated with SCRA, which provides loans and investments to selected South Carolina-based companies participating in the SC Launch program.
Media Contact
Adrian Grimes
Director of Marketing and Communications, SCRA
O: (854) 888-2033
C: (843) 277-7295
adrian.grimes@scra.org
