National Grid Partners invests in two cybersecurity firms

National Grid Partners (NGP), the investment arm of the National Grid, is investing in two leading online data and cybersecurity companies.

“In these uncertain times, few things are more mission-critical than data security,” Lisa Lambert, National Grid’s Chief Technology and Innovation Officer and the founder and president of National Grid Partners, said. “Identifying next-generation security measures and supporting their development and adoption are key to one of National Grid’s core commitments: Delivering a safer, more seamless energy future to our millions of customers.”

One of the investments is in 1touch.io, a provider of data discovery, privacy, and security solutions. The company offers network-based data discovery that lets enterprises identify all internal repositories of sensitive data. NGP led the $14 million Series A round with Jerusalem Venture Partners.

The other is RiskIQ, a Silicon Valley-based cybersecurity company whose customers include Amazon, Facebook, Disney, and eight of the 10 largest financial institutions in the United States. RiskIQ helps companies and large government agencies investigate threats outside the firewall, where the vast majority of cyberattacks originate. The $15M Series D round also includes Summit Partners and Battery Ventures, among others.

“The founders of these companies are pioneers of security and online commerce, with nearly 100 years combined experience,” Lambert said. “We’re proud to add them to our team and excited to help them reach the next stage in their growth.”

RiskIQ CEO and cofounder Lou Manousos called NGP’s investment “an incredible opportunity to help customers in new markets understand and protect their digital attack surfaces as they expand outside the firewall, especially as business becomes remote amid the COVID-19 pandemic.”

NGP has now invested $154 million in 19 startups, plus three strategic funds in the United States, United Kingdom, and Israel.