Apate.ai, a cyber-intelligence startup based in Australia, has successfully raised $2.5 million in a seed funding round. The investment was spearheaded by OIF Ventures, with participation from Investible. OIF Ventures, a prominent venture capital firm headquartered in Sydney, primarily invests in sectors such as B2B SaaS, fintech, cybersecurity, and marketplaces, focusing on early-stage companies.
With the newly acquired funds, Apate.ai plans to enhance its product development, expand internationally, and grow its engineering and go-to-market teams. The company also aims to strengthen its partnerships with financial institutions, telecommunications companies, and governments.
Founded in 2024 as a spin-off from Macquarie University, Apate.ai specializes in AI-powered fraud prevention. The platform employs conversational AI bots to proactively engage with scammers through various communication channels, including voice calls and messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram. The technology adapts in real-time using machine learning, offering dynamic protection to its clients, which include telcos, financial institutions, and governments. Apate.ai is already collaborating with major partners such as CommBank and TPG Telecom.

