# Derek Smith

> Derek Smith is a four-time serial entrepreneur and the co-founder and CEO of Mimic, a Palo Alto-based cybersecurity company building ransomware detection and deflection technology that operates at the kernel level. He previously co-founded Oakley Networks (the first data leakage prevention company, acquired by Raytheon in 2007) and Shape Security (the first bot-defense company, acquired by F5 for $1 billion in 2020), and served as Senior Advisor for Cyber-Policy in the Office of the Secretary of Defense at the Pentagon. Mimic has raised $77 million in total funding, including a $50M Series A led by GV and Menlo Ventures.

- **Role:** Co-Founder and CEO at Mimic
- **Organizations:** Mimic, Shape Security, Oakley Networks, Cambric Corporation, Raytheon, F5 Networks, U.S. Department of Defense, Center for a New American Security (CNAS)
- **From:** Salt Lake City, United States
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** Not specified, University of Utah
- **Known for:** Founded four technology startups, two of which became landmark cybersecurity companies, Built Oakley Networks into the first data leakage prevention company - acquired by Raytheon (2007), Built Shape Security into the first bot-defense company - acquired by F5 for $1 billion (2020)

## Career timeline

- **1989** — Founded Cambric Corporation (3D computer-aided engineering services) while in college; later acquired by Tata Technologies
- **2001** — Co-founded Oakley Networks, pioneering the first data leakage prevention and insider threat network security technology
- **2007** — Sold Oakley Networks to Raytheon; served as VP of Cybersecurity at Raytheon post-acquisition
- **2009** — Served as Senior Advisor for Cyber-Policy in the Office of the Secretary of Defense at the Pentagon
- **2011** — Co-founded Shape Security, building the first bot-defense platform protecting websites, mobile APIs, and IoT devices
- **2020** — F5 Networks acquired Shape Security for $1 billion (January 2020); Smith continued as SVP of Security at F5
- **2023** — Co-founded Mimic, a ransomware detection, deflection, and recovery platform; raised $27M seed round
- **2024** — Mimic emerged from stealth (May 2024) with $27M seed round from Ballistic Ventures, Menlo Ventures, Team8, Wing Venture Capital, and Shield Capital
- **2025** — Raised $50M Series A led by GV (Google Ventures) and Menlo Ventures; Kevin Mandia joined Mimic's board

## Achievements

- Founded four technology startups, two of which became landmark cybersecurity companies
- Built Oakley Networks into the first data leakage prevention company - acquired by Raytheon (2007)
- Built Shape Security into the first bot-defense company - acquired by F5 for $1 billion (2020)
- Served as Senior Advisor for Cyber-Policy in the Office of the Secretary of Defense at the Pentagon
- Raised $77 million total for Mimic including a $50M Series A led by GV and Menlo Ventures
- Recruited Kevin Mandia (Mandiant founder) to Mimic's board of directors
- Named CNAS (Center for a New American Security) Board of Advisors member
- Built Mimic to 120 employees within two years of founding

## Latest updates

- **2025-02** — Raised $50M Series A led by GV and Menlo Ventures; Kevin Mandia joined Mimic's board; Greg Davison joined as Head of Revenue
- **2024-05** — Mimic emerged from stealth with $27M seed round from Ballistic Ventures, Menlo Ventures, Team8, Wing Venture Capital, and Shield Capital
- **2024-05** — Mimic's SaaS platform publicly launched with kernel-level ransomware detection, deflection, and recovery capabilities

## Links

- Website: https://mimic.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derek-w-smith

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/derek-smith
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-05-26