Whalebone
Whalebone provides zero-installation, DNS-based cybersecurity to telecom operators, ISPs, enterprises, and governments. It embeds protective DNS and threat intelligence into 400+ communications service provider networks globally, serving approximately 1.6 billion end users.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersBrno, Czechia
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Whalebone does
Whalebone, s.r.o. is a Brno, Czech Republic–headquartered cybersecurity company founded in 2016 by Richard Malovič (CEO) and Robert Šefr (CTO) that delivers user-centric, no-installation security by filtering malicious traffic at the DNS layer before it reaches end-user devices. Its core technology combines recursive DNS resolution with real-time threat intelligence and machine learning–assisted anomaly detection, exposing sub-60-second threat blocking, identity-protection monitoring of leaked databases, and a fraud-call protection layer for telecom subscribers. The platform is offered as three products: Whalebone Aura for telecom operators (B2C/B2B/B2G subscriber protection), Whalebone Immunity for enterprises, critical infrastructure, financial institutions, educational bodies, and government/municipalities, and Whalebone Peacemaker for ISPs, with a Peacemaker Profit module for revenue optimisation.
The company operates an exclusively channel-led go-to-market, embedding its DNS resolver into the networks of more than 400 communications service providers worldwide (including O2 Telefónica Germany, A1 Group, Tele2, 4ka, One Montenegro, Moldtelecom, MTX Connect, and Splius), and reaching approximately 1.6 billion SIMs, households, and businesses at the end-user layer. Revenue is generated through annual recurring subscriptions priced per protected user/device on a quote-based B2B model, supplemented by managed DNS infrastructure services for embedded partners such as eyeo (Adblock Plus). Beyond commercial distribution, Whalebone leads the European Commission–backed DNS4EU consortium (13 members across 10 EU countries), which went live in June 2025 to deliver sovereign DNS resolution for 100 million EU citizens, and holds ISO 9001, 27001, 22301, 27018, and 14001 certifications. The company has raised approximately €17.6M across seed, Series A, and a €13.35M Series B led by Unbound in February 2025, and has been recognised three consecutive years (2022–2024) among Central Europe's 50 Fastest-Growing Companies.
Whalebone firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Whalebone
- Legal name
- Whalebone, s.r.o.
- Website
- https://whalebone.io
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Whalebone provides zero-installation, DNS-based cybersecurity to telecom operators, ISPs, enterprises, and governments. It embeds protective DNS and threat intelligence into 400+ communications service provider networks globally, serving approximately 1.6 billion end users.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Whalebone is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Brno
- HQ country
- Czechia
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Whalebone business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Operations
Revenue model
- Telco/Aura Subscriptions: Recurring subscription revenue from telecom operators who deploy Whalebone Aura to their B2C, B2B, and B2G customers. Telcos bundle or sell the security service to their subscriber base, generating new revenue streams while enhancing customer loyalty.
- Enterprise/Immunity Subscriptions: Subscription-based revenue from enterprises, governments, and institutions deploying Whalebone Immunity for network-level cybersecurity protection. Targets critical infrastructure, financial services, educational institutions, and municipalities.
- ISP/Peacemaker Subscriptions: Recurring revenue from ISPs deploying Whalebone Peacemaker to provide network-level security to their customers, helping ISPs reduce user-generated security issues and create new revenue streams.
- DNS Infrastructure Services: Revenue from operating DNS infrastructure for partners like eyeo (Adblock Plus). Whalebone provides the DNS resolver layer while partners retain control over policy logic and domain intelligence.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Enterprise and telco pricing tailored to customer requirements |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
Whalebone product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Whalebone provides DNS-based cybersecurity platforms that protect end users, networks, and organizations from malware, phishing, ransomware, and other online threats by filtering malicious traffic at the DNS layer without requiring software installation on end-user devices. Its products are sold to telecom operators, ISPs, enterprises, and public institutions to deliver carrier-grade protection to large user populations.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Whalebone Aura: User-centric cybersecurity product for telco operators to deliver security to B2C, B2B, and B2G customers with no installation required.
- Whalebone Immunity
- Whalebone Peacemaker
- DNS4EU
- Whalebone Immunity for Critical Infrastructure
- Whalebone Immunity for Educational Institutions
- Whalebone Immunity for Financial Services
- Whalebone Immunity for Government/Institutions
- Whalebone Immunity for Municipalities
- Aura for Consumers
- Aura for SMBs
- Aura Infrastructure
- Peacemaker Profit
Products and services
- Whalebone Aura
- Whalebone Immunity
- Whalebone Peacemaker
- DNS4EU
Quantifiable outcome
- 30+ billion cyber threats blocked annually across protected networks
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Whalebone
Customer profileNamed customers13 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Whalebone technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
AI capability4 records
Feature6 records
Whalebone partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.
- eyeo (Adblock Plus)coreWhalebone operates DNS infrastructure supporting Adblock Plus, one of the world's most widely used ad-blocking applications. Whalebone delivers the DNS resolver layer while eyeo retains full control over policy logic and domain intelligence. Already deployed within Adblock Plus iOS mobile app for Safari.
- IPKOcorePartnership with Kosovo's leading telecommunications operator to provide advanced cyber protection to IPKO customers through Whalebone Aura network-level security.
- REAL SecuritycoreStrategic cybersecurity partnership in the Adriatics region, expanding Whalebone's presence in Southeast Europe through a specialized security partner.
- O2 Telefónica GermanycoreLaunched 'O2 Onlineschutz' cybersecurity service powered by Whalebone, enabling O2 to protect its customers from malware, phishing, and other cyber threats through network-level DNS security.
- DNS4EU Consortium (13 members across 10 EU countries)flagshipEuropean Commission project led by Whalebone to develop secure, privacy-compliant recursive DNS resolution for EU citizens, companies, and institutions. Goal is to protect 100 million people and serve as an alternative to US-based public DNS providers. Consortium includes private companies, research institutions, NGO, university, public institutions, CERTs, and NRENs.
- F-SecurecorePartnership to deliver DNS-based protection for mobile and fixed networks through service providers as part of a complete three-layered approach. F-Secure provides endpoint protection (TOTAL) and Wi-Fi router security (SENSE), complementing Whalebone's DNS-based first layer. Both companies focus on delivering highest security levels while helping CSPs position security products successfully.
- BalticomcoreLatvian ISP that deployed Whalebone Peacemaker Profit across all residential customers as part of standard internet package. Service positioned as safety feature blocking fraudulent pages, fake streaming sites, and phishing attempts. Resulted in 8% higher acceptance rate during price changes.
- SpliuscoreLithuanian ISP that white-labeled Whalebone's protective DNS as additional feature to internet packages. Two-month free trial achieved 40% trial-to-paid conversion rate, enabling revenue growth targets while reaching wide customer base.
- VayucoreItalian ISP partnered with Whalebone to address national legislation challenges including parental controls and Piracy Shield law compliance. Small ISPs face difficulties and costs beyond their capabilities, which Whalebone helps resolve.
- 4ka (Swan)coreSlovakia's fourth mobile operator launched Whalebone Aura as '4ka OCHRANA' (4ka Protection) for B2C mobile postpaid customers. No app installation or manual updates required. Joins 400+ CSPs worldwide using Whalebone Aura.
- One MontenegrocoreMontenegro operator launched SigurOne, a new cybersecurity service powered by Whalebone Aura. Available to entire customer base including prepaid, postpaid, and business customers. Activatable through Moj One self-care application.
- MoldtelecomcoreMoldovan operator introduced Digital Security (Safenet) powered by Whalebone Aura for B2C/B2B mobile customers. Defends against phishing, malware, and other online threats without app installation. Joins 400+ CSPs using Whalebone Aura.
- MTX ConnectcoreLuxembourg-based mobile operator specializing in global data services launched NetProtect in collaboration with Whalebone. Comprehensive cybersecurity solution protects all connected devices without additional installations.
- A1 GroupcoreMajor European telecom group (operating in Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia, Belarus, North Macedonia) partnered with Whalebone. A1 and Whalebone celebrate 1 million protected customers across A1 Group. Alejandro Plater from A1 Telekom Austria Group supported DNS4EU initiative.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Whalebone competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Cisco (Umbrella): Cisco Umbrella is the most established enterprise DNS-layer security platform, delivering secure web gateway, DNS filtering, and cloud-delivered protection to large enterprises and ISPs. It is the most direct large-scale competitor to Whalebone's DNS security but operates as part of Cisco's broader security portfolio rather than specializing in telco mass-market deployments.
- Cloudflare (Gateway / DNS): Cloudflare Gateway offers DNS and HTTP-layer filtering, threat intelligence, and zero-trust networking globally. It competes with Whalebone on DNS protection for both enterprises and ISPs, but bundles it into a much broader cloud platform spanning CDN, security, and developer services.
- Akamai (Enterprise Threat Protector / Guardicore): Akamai's Enterprise Threat Protector provides recursive DNS-based security similar to Whalebone's Immunity line, marketed to enterprise security teams. Akamai is a much larger infrastructure and security vendor, competing on enterprise deals while Whalebone focuses on telco-channel distribution.
- Zscaler (ZIA / Internet Access): Zscaler Internet Access delivers cloud-native secure web gateway functionality, including DNS-layer filtering, to enterprises globally. It is a larger, more enterprise-focused competitor that overlaps with Whalebone Immunity's value proposition.
- NetScout (Arbor Threat Mitigation): NetScout/Arbor provides DNS-based threat detection and DDoS mitigation primarily to service providers and large enterprises. It overlaps with Whalebone on telco-facing network security but is positioned more toward carrier-grade DDoS and traffic intelligence.
Direct peers
- F-Secure: F-Secure is both a Whalebone partner (three-layered security: DNS + endpoint + router) and a competitor, selling endpoint security and service-provider security directly to telcos and consumers. It targets the same CSP channel with overlapping product capabilities but emphasizes endpoint rather than network-layer DNS protection.
- DNSFilter: DNSFilter provides AI-driven DNS-layer content filtering and threat protection to MSPs, SMBs, and enterprises — directly comparable to Whalebone's protective DNS technology. It competes in the same 'no-installation network security' category but lacks Whalebone's telco-channel specialization.
- Allot (NetworkSecure): Allot is a direct competitor in the telco-mass-market cybersecurity space, providing network-based security (including DNS protection and parental control) that telecom operators sell to their subscribers. Allot targets the same CSP channel as Whalebone Aura and is one of its principal global rivals.
Emerging players
- Quad9: Quad9 is a free, privacy-focused recursive DNS service that blocks malicious domains. It is a non-commercial alternative to Whalebone's DNS protection and represents the open-source/free-resolver competitive pressure on protective DNS pricing.
Others
- OpenDNS (now Cisco Umbrella): OpenDNS pioneered consumer and SMB-grade protective DNS and is now part of Cisco Umbrella. It is referenced as a category ancestor whose consumer-prosumer positioning parallels Whalebone's Aura for Consumers / SMB line.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Whalebone social profiles
Digital presenceWhalebone financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Whalebone leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles15 records
Whalebone funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors3 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Whalebone M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Whalebone
What does Whalebone do?
Whalebone provides DNS-based cybersecurity platforms that protect end users, networks, and organizations from malware, phishing, ransomware, and other online threats by filtering malicious traffic at the DNS layer without requiring software installation on end-user devices. Its products are sold to telecom operators, ISPs, enterprises, and public institutions to deliver carrier-grade protection to large user populations.
Is Whalebone a public or private company?
Whalebone is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Whalebone founded?
Whalebone was founded in 2016. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Whalebone based?
Whalebone is headquartered in Brno, Czechia, in the Europe region.
How does Whalebone make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Telco/Aura Subscriptions are the primary driver. The others are enterprise/Immunity Subscriptions, ISP/Peacemaker Subscriptions and DNS Infrastructure Services.
Who are Whalebone's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Cisco (Umbrella), Cloudflare (Gateway / DNS), Akamai (Enterprise Threat Protector / Guardicore), Zscaler (ZIA / Internet Access) and NetScout (Arbor Threat Mitigation). Direct peers are F-Secure, DNSFilter and Allot (NetworkSecure). Quad9 is listed as an emerging player. OpenDNS (now Cisco Umbrella) is listed as an others.
Does Whalebone have an API?
No public API is recorded for Whalebone.