SafeToNet
SafeToNet is a British cyber-security company headquartered in London, with offices in Cologne and Toronto. The company uses artificial intelligence (AI) and behavioural analytics to help safeguard children by detecting threats such as cyberbullying, sextortion, abuse and aggression.
 Logo as of 2024 | |
Company type | Private limited company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Software |
| Genre | Cyber safety |
| Founded | 2013 |
| Founder |
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| Headquarters | 1st Floor, 5–11 Lavington St, London SE1 0NZ, London , England |
Number of locations | 3 |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people |
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| Products | SafeToNet (MDM, AI, ICBS) |
Number of employees | 50 |
| Website | safetonet.com |
SafeToNet is a British cyber-security company headquartered in London, with offices in Cologne and Toronto. The company uses artificial intelligence (AI) and behavioural analytics to help safeguard children by detecting threats such as cyberbullying, sextortion, abuse and aggression.
History
[edit]SafeToNet was founded by Richard Pursey, Sharon Pursey, Georgina Pursey, Jack Pursey and Ted Hailey in October 2013, and its products were first launched in July 2017.[1][2] In June 2018, SafeToNet acquired AI startup VISR, and raised $13 million in Series A private placement led by London-based venture capital firm, West Hill Capital.[3][4]
HarmBlock
[edit]HarmBlock is an artificial intelligence tool developed by SafeToNet that blocks nudity and sexually explicit material.[5] HMD announced that HarmBlock+ included for HMD Fuse,[6] a mobile phone designed for children.[7]
Awards and recognition
[edit]Awards
[edit]- November 2016 - Pride of Reading's "Entrepreneur of the Year" to co-founder and CEO Richard Pursey[8]
- November 2016 - Winner of KPMG's "Best British Mobile Start-Up" competition for South West England[9]
- November 2016 - SafeToNet wins BT Infinity Lab 'mobile innovation' competition[10]
- March 2017 - Winner of KPMG’s "Best British Mobile Start-Up" competition at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona[11]
- September 2017 - GoIgnite Global Call's "Consumer Experience AI" award [12][13]
- October 2017 - "Rising Star Award" by Women in Business to Co-founder Sharon for her work with SafeToNet[14][15]
- November 2017 - Thames Valley Business Magazine Awards for "Best Use of Technology"[16]
Recognition
[edit]- March 2017 - Featured in RealBusiness publication's "The 50 most disruptive UK companies in 2017: The Future 50"[17]
- June 2017 - Featured in Businesscloud UK's "101 tech start-up disrupter's list" for 2017[18]
- Recognised by Cisco as one of the UK and Ireland's top 50 cyber security start-ups (the Cisco50 programme)[19]
Relationship between the SafeToNet Foundation and SafeToNet Ltd.
[edit]SafeToNet Foundation is a registered UK charity, SafeToNet Ltd is a commercial enterprise and funds the SafeToNet Foundation. Both are concerned with safeguarding children in the Digital Context. While SafeToNet does this using technology and applications, the SafeToNet Foundation does this through education, information, finding projects and research. The SafeToNet Foundation also works with subject matter experts to rehabilitate any victims of cyber abuse.[20]
References
[edit]- ^ "Tech Pitch: SafeToNet | Startups.co.uk". Startups.co.uk: Starting a business advice and business ideas. 2017-07-25. Retrieved 2017-11-20.
- ^ "IT LIFE: Richard Pursey, SafeToNet CEO". Silicon UK. 2017-08-16. Retrieved 2017-11-20.
- ^ "SafeToNet acquires AI startup VISR". June 2018. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
- ^ "SafeToNet Raises $13m Series A Private Placement". West Hill capital. May 2018. Retrieved 7 March 2019.
- ^ "HarmBlock from SafeToNet". HarmBlock. Retrieved 2025-10-04.
- ^ "What is HarmBlock+?". HMD - Human Mobile Devices. Retrieved 2025-10-04.
- ^ "World-first new smartphone designed for children blocks nude content from the camera and across all apps". HMD - Human Mobile Devices. 2025-08-20. Retrieved 2025-10-04.
- ^ Slevin, Jennie (2016-11-06). "Pride of Reading entrepreneur award goes to dad making web safe". getreading. Retrieved 2017-11-20.
- ^ "Winner of the KPMG best mobile app competition (South) announced -TechSPARK.co". techspark.co. 29 November 2016. Retrieved 2017-11-20.
- ^ "BT Infinity Lab winners". BT website. Retrieved 7 March 2019.
- ^ "KPMG crowns SafeToNet Best British Mobile Startup 2017". KPMG. 2017-03-01. Retrieved 2017-11-20.
- ^ "SafeToNet wins Go Ignite global search for start-ups | Wayra". Wayra. 2017-09-13. Retrieved 2017-11-20.
- ^ "Global Call – Go Ignite". www.go-ignite.com. Retrieved 2017-11-20.
- ^ "SafeToNet's Sharon Pursey captures the Women in Business Rising Star award | Wayra". Wayra. 2017-09-22. Retrieved 2017-11-20.
- ^ "Winners for the Women in Business awards 2017 #WIB17". womeninbusiness.biz. Retrieved 2017-11-20.
- ^ "The Thames Valley Business Magazine Awards 2017 Winners". businessawards.co.uk. Retrieved 2017-11-20.
- ^ "The Future 50: The 50 most disruptive UK companies". Real Business. 2017-03-27. Retrieved 2017-11-20.
- ^ "Business Cloud 101 Tech Startup Disruptors List". UKFast. Retrieved 20 November 2017.
- ^ Ventures, SafeToNet and DuKlaw. "SafeToNet Secures Growth Investments From DuKlaw Ventures". www.prnewswire.com (Press release). Retrieved 2017-11-20.
- ^ "SafeToNet Foundation Supporting initiatives focusing on safeguarding children from risks online". SafeToNet Foundation. Retrieved 2019-03-07.