Manish Mimani is a man on a mission. On the eve of Republic Day 2023, Mimani is unveiling his latest initiative, ‘Protectech’. Protectt.ai's innovative mobile security integrated platform aims to give Indian mobile users freedom from mobile frauds & cyber threats. The founder & CEO, Protectt.ai, a new-age company, claims that this freedom should now be counted as a basic human right, as it is as fundamental as any other essentials. Cyber protection is indeed a fundamental right! As digital engagement and transactions grow, there is record increase in hacking and fraud attempts on mobile banking transactions and apps, thus impacting digital trust, while causing financial loss to businesses and customers. Mimani is seeking to provide protection and security, where we need it most – in smartphones and digital devices. And, where it matters most – on your mobile device, which is home to your most important and confidential information. From your precious memories captured on the phone camera and your virtual life on social media to the data in your banking app and private communications on Whatsapp, your phone holds more personal and private information than any other digital or non-digital device – your computer, your wallet or even all the paperwork in your cupboard. Tech innovator Mimani, a passionate entrepreneur, with proven expertise in the global technology platforms, digital transformation, greenfield implementation and IT turnaround, is a technology innovator. And, he has focussed on deep tech to build Protectt.ai as the next generation mobile application security platform. The laureate of the CIO100 award for three consecutive years, he has received many other awards for tech & digital transformation too. Though Mimani admits that he has just scratched the surface, he elucidates that his vision is to provide mobile app & device security, covering 2 billion mobile app sessions every month, spanning over 200 million smartphone users in India. “We have established Protectt.ai to leapfrog cyber security preparedness of enterprises in general and mobile banking, as well as fintech players in particular,” explains Mimani. “As we progress, we aim to extend this capability and enablement to overall mobile app users in India as well as across the globe”. Pioneering approach Mimani emphasises that his company’s pioneering and distinct approach is to come up with RunTime Application Self Protection (RASP)-based mobile threat defence mechanism-driven Mobile Threat Defence (MTD), which is a pioneering concept in the global cyber security value chain. According to Gartner, the mobile apps from any sector – finance, education, insurance, travel, food ordering, etc – need to be able to detect and mitigate cyber threats at their end. This can only be achieved if the apps are incorporated with RASP. Thus, fundamentally, Protectt.ai is conceptualised as a deep tech cyber security start-up specialising in mobile app, device & transaction security solutions. “Coming from modest boot-strapped roots, our journey in the initial phase was humbling indeed,” acknowledges Mimani. “However, as we have scaled up and evolved, we have experienced the best of benefits of being resilient and focussed, however hard the challenges one may have to encounter”. Mimani is now aiming to raise $10-12 million as part of Series A funding. As the first step towards it, in the pre-Series A round, he admits that he is in advanced talks to raise about $3 million. The pre-Series A fund round is expected to conclude by next quarter. Setting the record straight, Mimani informs: “While we cannot reveal the details at this point, a prominent Mumbai-based fund and another Bengaluru-based VC are likely to be part of the pre-Series A funding. Fundamentally, those funds and VCs, who see a long-term growth horizon in the distinct confluence of digital ecosystem with deep tech-based futuristic cyber security business opportunities, are the kind of partners we are looking at.”