Paris-based cybersecurity startup MokN, founded in 2023 by Gautier Bugeon, has raised €2.6 million in a seed funding round led by Moonfire, alongside OVNI Capital, Kima Ventures, and several notable business angels. The company is set to scale its innovative “phish-back” technology that tricks cyber attackers into revealing stolen credentials, enabling faster detection and prevention before misuse.
MokN’s proactive deception approach distinguishes it from other cybersecurity firms focused on detection or fraud analytics. The startup deploys hyper-realistic decoy portals such as fake VPN or email login pages within a company’s network. When attackers use stolen credentials on these decoys, the system immediately alerts security teams – often before the credentials are exploited elsewhere or sold.
This approach addresses one of the fastest-growing cyber threats: identity theft via credential compromise. According to the 2024 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report, stolen credentials remain the leading cause of data breaches, accounting for nearly 65% of cyberattacks that result in financial harm. MokN’s technology enables early intervention at the moment attackers test stolen credentials, turning the tables on cybercriminals by mirroring their own tactics.
Despite being self-funded for over a year, MokN has already attracted more than 20 enterprise clients and achieved over €1 million in annual recurring revenue within 12 months. The company protects over 500,000 users and has outpaced traditional detection systems by quickly providing actionable intelligence on stolen credentials.
Moonfire Partner Akshat Goenka highlighted the relevance and urgency of MokN’s mission, praising its deception strategy as a crucial layer in modern identity-first security. With no direct competitors offering a similar deception platform in the U.S., MokN sees significant opportunities to expand its commercial presence. The startup plans to relocate part of its leadership team to the United States, enhancing customer engagement and growth support while continuing to expand its product, sales, and marketing teams in France.
OVNI Capital Managing Partner Augustin Sayer noted MokN’s fast deployment, high signal quality, and seamless integration with security operations centers make it a compelling solution amid an evolving threat landscape. As cyberattacks grow more sophisticated, MokN is positioned to play a critical role in transforming how organizations protect against credential-based threats globally.
