Edinburgh startup Approov Mobile Security has raised €5.7 million in Series A funding to scale its mobile app and API protection platform amid a growing wave of AI-driven cyber threats.
The round was led by the Investment Fund for Scotland (managed by Maven Capital Partners), with backing from Souter Investments, Lanza techVentures, and Scottish Enterprise. The funds will fuel product development and global expansion as mobile security becomes a growing concern for developers and enterprises worldwide.
Founded in Edinburgh in 2001 under the name CriticalBlue, Approov has evolved into a cloud-native platform that secures mobile applications by verifying the integrity of the app before it communicates with backend APIs. With operations in Palo Alto and clients across eCommerce, finance, healthcare, and gaming, the company positions itself at the forefront of mobile cybersecurity.
“With AI rapidly changing the threat landscape, mobile app security can no longer be reactive,” said CEO Ted Miracco. “Our platform ensures that every instance of a mobile app is authenticated and that APIs are protected from fraud and unauthorized access.”
Approov’s technology relies on a Zero Trust approach: no app is assumed secure by default. The system uses runtime attestation, API secret delivery, and built-in runtime application self-protection (RASP) to identify and block tampered or repackaged apps, bots, and emulators in real time.
Investors see huge potential as mobile infrastructure comes under tighter regulatory scrutiny. “Approov is well-positioned to lead the next wave of mobile app and API security,” said Craig McGill, Investment Manager at Maven Capital Partners. “The market demand for real-time, API-level protection is growing fast.”
As mobile developers face new distribution challenges posed by the EU Digital Markets Act and the UK’s DMCC Bill, Approov argues its platform offers a critical advantage: enabling secure, independent app distribution outside of traditional app stores—while keeping data secure and revenue intact.
Lucio Lanza, Chairman of Approov and founder of Lanza techVentures, emphasized the strategic timing of the raise. “This investment validates our vision for a safer mobile ecosystem. With AI multiplying cyber risks, Approov’s scalable solutions provide the protection developers need in today’s hostile environments.”
With fresh capital and a growing list of high-stakes customers, Approov aims to set a new standard for mobile application and API security in an AI-driven world.
