5 network automation startups to watch

Why is Aliro a hot startup to watch? Quantum networking is very much in the pioneer phase, and Aliro is an early mover. The startup is backed by Accenture Ventures and Cisco Investments, and Aliro has already landed contracts with the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) to provide software and professional services. This will enable AFRL to simulate, test, and operate entanglement-based quantum network infrastructure, including connecting quantum computers with heterogeneous qubit platforms.

Automox

• Year founded: 2015
• Funding: $152.6 million
• Headquarters: Boulder, Colorado
• CEO: Tim Lucas
• What they do: Provide an AI-powered IT automation platform
• Competitors include: ConnectWise, Google, ManageEngine, and Microsoft
• Customers include: Athena Health, NASA, Yale, and Xerox

As IT environments become more distributed and dynamic, IT teams struggle to manage ever-changing hybrid environments. Automox’s endpoint management software uses AI to automate such labor-intensive tasks as patching, configuration, and software deployment. The cloud-native platform also provides visibility into end points, while automatically plugging vulnerabilities and mitigating risks. Automox also handles inventory management, third-party software patching, and enforcement of device configuration policies.

Automox has raised an impressive $152.6 million in funding. Its most recent round, which closed in 2021, was a $110 million Series C led by Insight Partners. Blackstone, Koch Disruptive Technologies, and TechOperators also joined the round.

The leadership team has extensive SaaS and networking experience. CEO Tim Lucas previously served as a group vice president at SolarWinds. Frank Livaudais, senior vice president of engineering, was formerly vice president of enterprise engineering at Cloudflare, and Charles Coaxum, senior vice president of customer experience, was previously head of cybersecurity CX at Cisco.

With a strong VC backing and a number of high-profile named customers, including NASA and Xerox, the startup is well-positioned to gain a foothold in the growing IT operations automation space.

Cast AI

• Year founded: 2019
• Funding: $35 million
• Headquarters: Miami, Florida
• CEO: Yuri Frayman
• What they do: Provide an automation platform for Kubernetes/cloud cost management and optimization
• Competitors include: Apptio, Cloudcheckr, Kubecost, NetApp
• Customers include: Akamai, Ampeers Energy, NielsenIQ, and OpenX

The Cast AI platform constantly monitors cloud deployments, automatically scanning for ways to optimize and cut costs. The platform also automates the deployment and security of Kubernetes and other containers, automatically ensuring that vulnerabilities are patched, configurations are correct, and security postures meet compliance requirements.