Recent updates from Vienna shed light on the ongoing trial against former Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz over allegations of perjury. Moreover, the Austrian prosecutors continue to investigate Kurz over allegations of corruption. However, beyond the courtroom, Kurz’s business activities are garnering significant attention. In the latest developments, Kurz, who vehemently denies lying at the political inquiry, faces ongoing investigations by Austrian prosecutors probing potential corruption.
The Peter Thiel Connection
On 18 October 2023, the trial against Austria’s Ex-Chancellor Sebastian Kurz over charges of Perjury started in Vienna. Kurz pleaded not guilty to lying at political inquiry. Moreover, the Ausrian prosecutors continue investigating allegations of corruption.
Not letting controversy slow him down, post-resignation, Kurz has entered the thriving tech sector, collaborating with renowned tech investor Peter Thiel. Their combined efforts have birthed profitable ventures in both Austria and Israel. The Austrian political magazine ZackZack reveals Kurz’s admiration for Thiel, emphasizing the former Chancellor’s in-depth understanding of European state secrets and connections to cybersecurity companies.
These attributes potentially enhance his value to investors like Thiel. In a significant move, Kurz has been appointed as a Global Strategist within Thiel’s investment fund.
The momentum continues for Kurz outside the political arena. The Austrian news outlet Krone has unveiled the prosperous balance sheet of SK Management GmbH, Kurz’s brainchild from January 2022. The company boasts a commendable balance sheet profit of €1.924 million, with cash reserves of €1.153 million and liabilities totaling €196,639.
The Israeli Cybersecurity Connection
Further insights from the Austrian news magazines OE24 and Krone showcase Kurz’s entrepreneurial spirit with the establishment of an Israeli cybersecurity enterprise, Dream Security. Focusing on pivotal infrastructure security, from water to healthcare, the company has impressively amassed $20 million in investments. The genius driving this initiative is Shalev Hulio, formerly at the helm of NSO Group. In the summer of 2022, Hulio stepped down as CEO of the controversial Spyware maker and founded the new company with Kurz a few months later. Kurz should open the gates to European customers.
Dream Security has secured a staggering pre-seed funding of $20 million from a group of investors led by Dovi Frances, an Israeli-American venture capitalist and the founder of the investment firm Group 11. Among its influential backers is Dovi Frances, a prominent Israeli-American venture capitalist. Dream Security‘s team also welcomes Gil Dolev, founder of Wayout Group. The intricate web of professional relationships sees Dolev, Hulio, and NSO Group interconnected in past business endeavors.
Moreover, Kurz, despite the corruption scandal backdrop, joined Dream Security in the roles of president and VP of business development. His dedication to fortifying critical infrastructure, driven by first-hand experiences of witnessing cyber-attacks, aligns with the company’s mission. Hulio’s shift from an “offensive” cybersecurity strategy to a “defensive” one aims to tackle the imminent cyber threats, particularly in the European sector.
However, Hulio’s past association with the NSO Group and its controversial Pegasus spyware lingers in the backdrop. This powerful tool, capable of covertly accessing a user’s phone, has faced international backlash over misuse by regimes with questionable human rights records. With ongoing legal battles, including lawsuits from giants like Apple and WhatsApp, the NSO Group remains at the epicenter of global cyber espionage controversy.
Last year, the US Commerce Department blacklisted NSO, thus limiting the company’s access to US components and technology. NSO is challenging the designation.
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