Open-source software provider Red Hat has agreed to buy US-based software container security provider StackRox for an undisclosed amount, facilitating an exit for enterprise technology producer Hewlett-Packard Enterprise (HPE).
Founded in 2014, StackRox provides a cybersecurity software platform that allows companies to secure their software containers and environments, including those centred on Kubernetes, an open-source system used to automate the management of containerised applications.
Red Hat seeks to combine StackRox’s Kubernetes-native security platform with its own Kubernetes platform, OpenShift, though StackRox will continue to support Kubernetes platforms from other providers after the deal closes.
StackRox CEO Kamal Shah said: “We are thrilled to join forces with Red Hat, coupling the industry’s first Kubernetes-native security platform with the leading Kubernetes platform for hybrid cloud, multicloud and edge deployments.”
Sequoia Capital led a $14m series A round for StackRox in 2017 that included Amplify Partners. Both returned for a $25m series B round the following year that was led by Redpoint Ventures.
The company then received $26.5m in series B funding from HPE, Menlo Ventures, Highland Capital Partners, Sequoia Capital and Redpoint Ventures in September 2020.