Did Ciphero Secure $2.5M in Pre-Seed Funding?

Ciphero, a startup specializing in AI security, has emerged from stealth mode with a $2.5 million pre-seed funding round. The New York-based company received investments co-led by Sovereign’s Capital and Chingona Ventures. Sovereign’s Capital, headquartered in Atlanta and managing over $780 million in assets, is known for its faith-driven investment approach. Meanwhile, Chicago’s Chingona Ventures focuses on early-stage investments, particularly in overlooked markets and diverse founders. Ciphero, founded in 2025 by Saoud Khalifah, Rob Gross, and Sen Tian, aims to use the funds to develop its AI-native verification platform. The company seeks to provide a secure AI usage environment by creating a verification layer that monitors and governs AI interactions within organizations. Ciphero’s platform is designed to prevent data loss, mitigate attacks, and address risks associated with shadow AI, promoting ethical AI use on a large scale.