Cybersecurity is all about keeping digital identities safe, but here’s the twist: it’s not just about humans. Machines, like apps and services, also need protection, and that’s where Clutch comes in. This Tel Aviv-based startup just landed $20 million in funding to tackle one of the biggest security challenges out there—machine identity.

The funding round was led by SignalFire, with support from Lightspeed Venture Partners and Merlin Ventures. This cash infusion will help Clutch ramp up its research, improve its platform, and grow its team.

Why does this matter? Think about it: breaches often start with stolen passwords or hijacked credentials. But machines—like servers, apps, and even AI agents—also have identities that hackers can exploit. Clutch’s platform focuses on securing these non-human identities, offering tools like network visibility, risk management, and lifecycle control. It’s a zero-trust approach that’s becoming essential as the number of machine identities in large companies has skyrocketed from 320,000 in 2022 to 1 million in 2024.

Clutch’s journey hasn’t been without challenges. Founded in October 2023, the company launched during a tumultuous time in Israel, with the war in Gaza unfolding. CEO Ofir Har-Chen described the early days as a mix of stress and focus. While recruitment was tough, the team managed to build its first product in just three months.

The problem they’re tackling is hardly new—machine identities have been a target since the 1990s. But the rise of cloud computing and AI has made it even more critical. As Har-Chen puts it, “We’re seeing the pendulum swing from the human being as the weakest link to the non-human, or the machine.”

Clutch isn’t alone in this space, though. Competitors like Semperis, Astrix Security, and CyberArk are also eyeing the machine identity security market. But investors are betting on Clutch’s quick progress and innovative approach. As one backer put it, “They’re not just building a groundbreaking platform; they’re reshaping the entire industry.”

With cybersecurity threats on the rise, Clutch’s mission couldn’t be more timely. Their work isn’t just about protecting data—it’s about safeguarding the future of digital enterprises.