Protexxa

Protexxa is a Canadian cybersecurity company that offers a combination of SaaS platform, training programs, and professional services aimed at improving cybersecurity hygiene at the employee and organizational level. Their core product, Protexxa Defender, is a cybersecurity SaaS platform designed to address human-related cyber risks within organizations. The platform focuses on employee cybersecurity hygiene — helping businesses reduce the risk posed by human behavior and error, which is a common vector for cyberattacks. In addition to the software platform, Protexxa offers cybersecurity training programs. These are designed to serve multiple use cases: hiring cybersecurity talent, upskilling existing teams, and building regional talent development programs. The company also provides managed cybersecurity services, offering scalable security team support to organizations. Protexxa's partners include Bell, Mila (Montreal AI Institute), Deloitte, Export Development Canada, CAMSC, Toronto Metropolitan University, and FS-ISAC, indicating involvement across both the private and public/academic sectors. The company is an affiliate of the Financial Services Information Sharing and Analysis Center (FS-ISAC), suggesting a focus on the financial services vertical among others. Founded by Claudette McGowan, a veteran with over 30 years in IT, Protexxa has raised a total of approximately $21.2M across seed ($4M), Series A-adjacent ($7.2M), and a $10M Series A round — the latter noted as the largest round secured by a Black woman founder in Canada. The company operates globally, with a Regional VP for Asia, and serves enterprise clients across multiple industries and geographies.