Madrid, February 12, 2014.- Kibo Ventures, through the Amerigo Investment fund, Telefónica Ventures, the venture capital arm of Telefónica, and the entrepreneur Roger Casals, have invested 2.5 million euros in the cyber security company Blueliv, to develop new products and fund the firm’s international expansion. This makes Blueliv the first example of joint investment between Kibo Ventures, a branch of the Amerigo Venture Capital network sponsored by Telefónica, and Telefonica Ventures. Telefónica will also endorse the company’s potential through Telefónica Digital and its subsidiaries in Europe and Latin America, by including Blueliv solutions in its cyber security offer.

Blueliv has developed a cloud-based solution that protects organizations from credit card fraud, data theft, and the latest generation of malware and cyber threats. In response to the need of businesses and governments to stem the rapid transformation and evolution of cyber-attacks, Blueliv has designed an innovative, highly valued technology that enables real time searches for threats originated outside the perimeter of a company’s Information Systems.

In the two years since its launch, Blueliv has obtained important clients in the financial, energy and telecommunications sectors in Spain and Latin America. A reinforcement of the shareholding structure –thanks to Kibo Ventures and Telefónica Ventures– coupled with Roger Casals’ business experience in the security sector, will enable Blueliv to consolidate its leadership position with its product and embark on international expansion in the United States, Latin America and Europe.

In the coming years, Blueliv expects to increase its turnover exponentially, reaching 25 million euros by 2017. Moreover, this year the company plans to double the number of cyber security and intelligence specialists.

According to Ana Segurado, coordinator for Telefónica Open Future, “This investment, in addition to the one recently announced by Amerigo through Kibo Ventures in Zuzeen, a startup accelerated by Wayra, are two clear examples of the collaboration between Telefónica’s Group different investment instruments. As initiatives integrated into Telefónica Open Future –a global platform that is open to our partners for the purpose of sharing our innovation initiatives– they also reflect Telefónica’s commitment to technological innovation and enterprise.”

Javier Torremocha, a founding partner of Kibo Ventures, explains, “Cyber threats are rampant these days and they pose a serious risk to the current development of companies and governments.” He continues, “Blueliv’s cyber threat prevention solution, fits perfectly with our investment strategy, which focuses on innovative, globally applicable technology.”

In order to implement the capital increase, Blueliv received legal counsel from Rousaud Costas Duran (RCD), a law firm specializing in technological start-ups, innovation, and entrepreneurship. As for Kibo Ventures and Telefonica, Baker & McKenzie advised them