Kigen Secures $12.5M to Boost eSIM Cybersecurity

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Cambridge-based Kigen, an Arm spin-out, just secured $12.5 million to scale its eSIM cybersecurity solutions. The funding will fuel growth across the UK, EU, and US.

A Cambridge-based startup that spun out from Arm just landed a big funding round. Kigen, which focuses on eSIM and Remote SIM Provisioning (RSP) security, has raised $12.5 million (around £10 million) from Salica Investments, a UK investment firm. This growth debt investment is meant to fuel Kigen's next phase of expansion across the UK, Europe, and the US. It's a vote of confidence in what they're building. ### What This Funding Means for Kigen Vincent Korstanje, Kigen's CEO, put it simply: "This investment allows us to accelerate our next phase of growth with confidence." He added that customers are looking for practical ways to strengthen cyber resilience, simplify regulatory readiness, and manage secure connectivity over the long term. Kigen wants to move faster to support those customers with trusted, future-ready solutions. That's the core of their mission. ### A Quick Look at Kigen's Story Kigen originally spun out from Arm in 2020. Since then, it's been operating independently with offices in Cambridge, Belfast, Northern Ireland, and Noida, India. The company helps businesses scale their Internet of Things (IoT) deployments by weaving trust and security directly into SIM, eSIM, and iSIM technologies. They claim their tech lets you choose from over 200 terrestrial and satellite networks, with proven interoperability on leading chipsets and modules. ### Why This Matters for IoT Security Here's the thing: IoT devices are everywhere, from smart home gadgets to industrial sensors. Each one needs secure connectivity. Kigen's capabilities are especially relevant for organizations that have to demonstrate secure connectivity architecture and long-term maintainability. The company works with manufacturers worldwide to deliver secure, GSMA-certified eSIMs and management solutions. These cover consumer, M2M, and IoT environments, with direct access to more than 200 networks. ### Security Patching at Scale One standout feature is how Kigen has positioned its latest eSIM offerings around security patching and updates at scale. They claim this makes secure updates, auditability, and long-term support more straightforward and predictable for manufacturers managing products over many years. That's a big deal. Think about a smart thermostat or a connected car – you need to keep it secure for years, not just months. Kigen's approach aims to make that easier. ### A SaaS Model for Flexibility Kigen's platform is increasingly delivered through a SaaS model. This gives customers flexible, usage-based access to OS licensing, management tools, and professional services. It's a shift that aligns with how many businesses prefer to buy technology today. ### Who's Backing Kigen? Kigen has some heavy hitters behind it. The company is backed by Arm, SoftBank Vision Fund 2, and SBI Group. That's a strong vote of confidence from major players in tech and investment. Usman Ali, Partner at Salica Investments' Venture Debt Fund, said: "The team has built a highly differentiated platform at the intersection of connectivity and cybersecurity, with strong relevance for manufacturers and enterprises navigating a more demanding regulatory and operational environment." He added that Salica is delighted to support Kigen as it scales across critical sectors and international markets. ### What's Next for Kigen? With this fresh $12.5 million, Kigen is poised to accelerate its growth. The focus is on expanding in the UK, Europe, and the US, where demand for secure IoT connectivity is skyrocketing. As more devices come online and regulations tighten around cybersecurity, companies like Kigen are in a sweet spot. They're not just selling a product; they're providing a foundation for trust in the connected world.

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