Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Rodney Gainous. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Rodney thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to start by getting your thoughts on what you are seeing as some the biggest trends emerging in your industry

Some key trends I’ve noticed in cybersecurity and email phishing include:

The growing use of social engineering in attacks. Phishing emails have become more advanced, relying on social engineering tactics to trick people into clicking malicious links or opening harmful attachments. These attacks often work by preying on emotions like fear, greed, or curiosity.

The rising use of automation in cyberattacks. Cybercriminals now employ automation to send phishing emails and other attacks on a large scale. This makes it harder for security teams to stay ahead of the threats, increasing the risk that a given attack will be successful.

The evolving sophistication of malware. Malware is now more advanced and harder to detect, as cybercriminals utilize techniques like polymorphism and encryption to make their malware more challenging to analyze and remove.

The growing number of connected devices and associated risks. As more devices become connected, new security risks emerge. Many of these devices lack strong protections, leaving them vulnerable as entry points for cybercriminals.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Born in Detroit in 1994, I was raised in Farmington Hills with two younger siblings and a half-brother. I learned to code at 13 and made software that earned me $200k by age 15, followed by a couple of Android apps. After a short stint at college, I became a developer at a firm and later an engineer at Ford, despite not having a degree.

I moved to San Francisco, struggled to make ends meet, and eventually secured a job just before having to return home. My friend and I both faced relationship challenges due to distance. Later, I moved to Los Angeles and was quickly fired from a big contract. I got curious about a scooter company called Bird and secured a job there, but after 14 months, I left due to the deteriorating company culture.

I moved back home and I started my own company without a plan, focusing on security. During my time at Bird, I built connections with the largest firm in LA and was given a residency to develop my company, which secured initial investment from Upfront. I moved back to LA, hired an engineer, and focused on crafting the perfect pitch for my product.

I networked with influential people from major funds, raised additional funds and got an opportunity to pitch live – securing the highest investment interest. Safe offers secure messaging solutions designed to protect digital conversations. Our main product, Safe Messages, supports individuals and organizations by safeguarding sensitive information from unauthorized access, ensuring privacy and peace of mind.

What sets us apart is our comprehensive security approach, including advanced features like end-to-end encryption, two-factor authentication, self-destructing messages, passcode protection, time locks, and location locks.

We’ve built a strong reputation as a reliable secure messaging provider, constantly innovating to stay ahead of emerging threats. We invite potential clients and fans to experience the security and privacy benefits provided by Safe.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

In the early years of my career, I worked as a software engineer, moving from Michigan to the tech hub of California’s Bay Area. I spent time at a startup, NIMA, and then at Bird, a mobility platform in LA. It was at Bird that I learned valuable lessons about how businesses operate.

Leaving Bird in 2019, I returned to Detroit and began developing my idea for “Safe”. I maintained contact with my California network, particularly Mark Suster from Upfront Ventures, whom I’d met through a cold email. Mark’s guidance was instrumental, and eventually, Upfront Ventures decided to invest in Safe.

I then returned to California and at a networking event, I met Evan J. Zimmerman from Jovono. Evan introduced me to Mercury Raise, another crucial step toward fundraising.

Perhaps the most transformative moment came in December 2021. Despite initial hesitations, I decided to pitch at a Stonks Demo Day, an event connecting founders and investors. To my amazement, in just 2 minutes, I raised over $1 million from a virtual audience of investors and syndicates. The journey wasn’t easy, but the mix of networking, the right mentorship, and seizing opportunities led me to successful fundraising for Safe.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

My experience with Bird, a mobility platform, serves as a great example of resilience. Despite having a generally positive time at Bird, I ended up leaving due to issues with salary renegotiations, culture, and time. Rather than being bogged down by these challenges, I saw this as an opportunity to launch my own venture.

Despite feeling overwhelmed at times, I learned valuable lessons that shaped my career trajectory in ways I could not foresee at the time. This included learning the ropes of hardware engineering as a software developer and managing projects across platforms.

After leaving Bird, I decided to return to my hometown in Detroit, a move that many might see as a step back in my career. However, I saw this as a much-needed opportunity to refocus my energy and attention, which I redirected towards developing Safe, my main project.

Through all of these experiences, I demonstrated remarkable resilience. I saw challenges not as setbacks but as learning experiences that shaped my future successes. Even in the face of doubt and uncertainty, I remained committed to my vision, demonstrating the power of resilience in overcoming obstacles and achieving success.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://getsafeapp.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rg2official/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rodneygainous/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/rg2official