FlashStart Internet Protection
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2003
- HeadquartersCesena, Italy
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
FlashStart Internet Protection firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- FlashStart Internet Protection
- Legal name
- FlashStart Group Srl
- Website
- https://flashstart.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2003
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
FlashStart Internet Protection industry classification
Industry- Product category
- DNS Filtering and Network Security
- NAICS
- Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (5182)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Managed Security Services (MSSP) & 24/7 SOC Operations (BPAKAHAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Attack Detection & Response for Cloud/SaaS (SOC for Cloud) (HDADAGAJ), Spam, Fake Engagement & Content Abuse Prevention (HDADALAG), Security Operations Center (SOC) as a Service (BPAEADAB)
Keywords
Where FlashStart Internet Protection is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cesena
- HQ country
- Italy
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
FlashStart Internet Protection business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- DNS Filtering Subscription: Subscription-based DNS security services with tiered pricing for MSPs, ISPs, Companies, and Schools. Pricing is quote-based and determined by number of users/queries. Multi-year contracts available with potential volume discounts.
- OEM/Embedded Licensing: Solution integrated into OEM and manufacturer products for DNS security as embedded functionality, sold to manufacturers.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | MSP/Company/School tier for MSPs, companies, and schools requiring full DNS protection features |
| Subscription | Annual | ISP Lite tier for ISPs and Telcos requiring lighter DNS filtering capabilities |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Free trial for all customer segments to evaluate the DNS filtering service |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels7 records
Marketing channels8 records
FlashStart Internet Protection product offering
Product offeringCore offering
FlashStart provides a cloud-based DNS filtering platform that uses AI and machine learning to block malware, ransomware, phishing, and unwanted web content at the DNS layer before traffic reaches the network. The platform serves MSPs, ISPs, companies, schools, and public administrations through a global Anycast network spanning 161 countries, classifying domains into 85 content categories and providing real-time threat detection, content filtering, and centralized management.
Product overview
FlashStart Internet Protection is a global cloud-based cybersecurity platform specializing in DNS filtering with AI support. The product portfolio comprises the core FlashStart Pro/Pro Plus platform for MSPs, companies, and schools, and FlashStart ISP Lite/Premium for telecom operators. The platform is delivered as a unified cloud service with modular components including Networks (router-based deployment), CloudBox (virtual machine for granular internal control), and Endpoints (roaming client for mobile devices). Core capabilities include AI-based malware protection, content filtering into 85 categories, DNS Intelligence, Geoblocking, App Blocker, and comprehensive reporting. The FlashStart 2026 platform introduced enhanced deployment architecture and the Latency Matrix monitoring tool. The company operates from Cesena, Italy with global Anycast DNS infrastructure across 161 countries.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- FlashStart Pro and Pro Plus DNS filtering platform for MSPs, companies, and schools offering scalable multi-client management, centralized control, malware protection, content filtering, AI-based threat detection, and comprehensive reporting.
- FlashStart ISP Lite and Premium DNS security services designed for ISPs and Telcos to integrate cloud-based protection into their service offerings, with global Anycast network, easy management, and scalable architecture.
- FlashStart 2026 Platform Major platform version release introducing a redesigned interface, migration from legacy panel, Latency Matrix for real-time network performance analysis, enhanced reporting and log search capabilities, and improved deployment architecture with Networks, CloudBox, and Endpoints modules.
- FlashStart CloudBox Virtual machine deployed within local infrastructure providing granular internal network control, policy mapping to IP addresses and CIDR blocks, DNS forwarding, and advanced local protection capabilities.
- FlashStart Endpoints Lightweight roaming client applications for laptops, tablets, and smartphones ensuring continuous filtering protection for mobile and remote devices on any network connection.
- FlashStart Networks Network deployment module supporting static IP, dynamic IP, and DoH/DoT configurations for extending DNS protection to entire fixed locations by updating router DNS settings.
Quantifiable outcome
- 15 billion DNS queries protected per day
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use FlashStart Internet Protection
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
FlashStart Internet Protection technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
AI capability5 records
Feature12 records
FlashStart Internet Protection partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and support.
- LancomcoreFlashStart partners with Lancom to bring advanced, cloud-based DNS security to Greece, empowering MSPs, ISPs, and IT teams with greater control and efficiency. This represents a key regional partnership for the Balkans region.
- Sygma ConnectsupportSygma Connect provides secure remote control software for FlashStart's technical support operations. The multi-platform software (Windows, Mac, Linux) enables FlashStart support teams to provide remote assistance to customers with encrypted connections.
- Internet Watch Foundation (IWF)coreFlashStart is among the partners of IWF and an active member for a safer network. IWF is a non-profit organization that works to make the internet safer by removing child sexual abuse content.
- Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA)coreFlashStart is a member of the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA), an organization dedicated to fighting online fraud and scams globally.
- MikroTikcoreFlashStart offers MikroTik Content & Malware Filter integration, allowing MikroTik router users to leverage FlashStart DNS filtering protection directly from their MikroTik devices.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
FlashStart Internet Protection competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Cisco Umbrella (OpenDNS): Market-leading DNS-layer security platform from Cisco, formerly OpenDNS. Direct competitor offering cloud-delivered DNS filtering, secure web gateway, and broader SASE capabilities to enterprises — the same buyer segments FlashStart targets.
- Cloudflare Gateway: Cloudflare's DNS and HTTP filtering product within its Zero Trust platform. Competes head-to-head on DNS-layer security, content filtering, and performance, and bundles DNS filtering into a much broader SASE/SSE platform.
- Zscaler Internet Access: Cloud-delivered secure web gateway and DNS filtering inside Zscaler's ZIA platform. Targets the same enterprise and public-sector buyers with a full SSE stack, including URL/DNS filtering that overlaps directly with FlashStart's offering.
- DNSFilter: Cloud-based DNS filtering and content categorization vendor focused on MSPs, enterprises, and schools. Closest direct comparable to FlashStart in product, GTM (MSP-led), and target verticals, and a direct head-to-head competitor in channel deals.
- SafeDNS: Cloud-based DNS filtering service for businesses, schools, and families. Direct SMB/mid-market competitor offering category-based content filtering and threat blocking, similar in scope to FlashStart Pro/Pro Plus.
Broad incumbents
- Webroot (OpenText): DNS-based web classification and content filtering (BrightCloud/Enlighten) now part of OpenText. Provides overlapping DNS filtering capabilities but as part of a much broader security and information management portfolio.
- Infoblox: Enterprise DDI and DNS security vendor with BloxOne Threat Defense. Overlaps with FlashStart in DNS-layer threat detection and content filtering but sells into larger enterprises as part of a broader networking/security portfolio.
- Akamai (DNS / Enterprise Threat Protector): Operates a global DNS and Anycast infrastructure with security-focused DNS products (Enterprise Threat Protector). Competes with FlashStart on DNS-layer protection at the network-edge level but as part of a much larger CDN and security platform.
Emerging players
- CleanBrowsing: DNS-based content filtering and threat protection provider with a strong footprint in schools, nonprofits, and families. Smaller and more focused than FlashStart, but competes for the same education and ISP distribution channels.
- Quad9: Non-profit DNS resolver offering free privacy- and security-focused DNS resolution. An indirect but growing threat to paid DNS filtering vendors like FlashStart, particularly among cost-sensitive consumers and small organizations.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks1 record
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
FlashStart Internet Protection social profiles
Digital presenceFlashStart Internet Protection compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
FlashStart Internet Protection financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
FlashStart Internet Protection leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
FlashStart Internet Protection funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
FlashStart Internet Protection 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 FlashStart Internet Protection
What does FlashStart Internet Protection do?
FlashStart provides a cloud-based DNS filtering platform that uses AI and machine learning to block malware, ransomware, phishing, and unwanted web content at the DNS layer before traffic reaches the network. The platform serves MSPs, ISPs, companies, schools, and public administrations through a global Anycast network spanning 161 countries, classifying domains into 85 content categories and providing real-time threat detection, content filtering, and centralized management.
Is FlashStart Internet Protection a public or private company?
FlashStart Internet Protection is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was FlashStart Internet Protection founded?
FlashStart Internet Protection was founded in 2003. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is FlashStart Internet Protection based?
FlashStart Internet Protection is headquartered in Cesena, Italy, in the Europe region.
How does FlashStart Internet Protection make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. DNS Filtering Subscription is the primary driver. The others are OEM/Embedded Licensing.
Who are FlashStart Internet Protection's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Cisco Umbrella (OpenDNS), Cloudflare Gateway, Zscaler Internet Access, DNSFilter and SafeDNS. Broad incumbents are Webroot (OpenText), Infoblox and Akamai (DNS / Enterprise Threat Protector). Emerging players are CleanBrowsing and Quad9.
Does FlashStart Internet Protection have an API?
Yes. FlashStart offers API integration capabilities for DNS filtering configuration and management. The API enables network operators to configure protection policies, manage allow/block lists, route specific wildcard domains to alternative DNS servers, link security profiles to internal network elements (IP addresses, static ranges, CIDR blocks), and access DNS query log data for analytical reporting. The platform supports DoH (DNS over HTTPS) and DoT (DNS over TLS) for encrypted DNS traffic. Documentation is available at docs.flashstart.com covering core configuration, router guides, and API integration. Developer documentation is at docs.flashstart.com.
What industry is FlashStart Internet Protection in?
FlashStart Internet Protection's product category is DNS Filtering and Network Security. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAKAHAA, Managed Security Services (MSSP) & 24/7 SOC Operations, with a secondary code of HDADAGAJ, Attack Detection & Response for Cloud/SaaS (SOC for Cloud). Its NAICS code is 5182 and its SIC code is 7370.