Tensor9: Enabling Secure Software Deployment for Enterprises
As enterprises increasingly seek the integration of innovative software and AI solutions, concerns about data security often arise, particularly regarding third-party software-as-a-service (SaaS) providers. Tensor9 is addressing these challenges by enabling software vendors to deploy their solutions directly within an enterprise’s technological ecosystem.
Streamlined Deployment Solutions
Tensor9 specializes in converting a vendor’s software code into a compatible format for deployment within clients’ infrastructures. Following the deployment, Tensor9 creates a “digital twin” representing a miniature model of the software’s operational environment. This allows clients to monitor performance and diagnose issues effectively, whether the software runs on cloud platforms or bare-metal servers.
Unique Selling Proposition
Michael Ten-Pow, co-founder and CEO of Tensor9, explained to TechCrunch that the company’s innovative approach positions it apart from competitors like Octopus Deploy and Nuon. “You can’t just throw a piece of software over the wall, or it’s very difficult to ensure you’re aware of its operations and can fix any issues,” Ten-Pow said. Through Tensor9’s technology, clients maintain insight into the software’s functioning, allowing them to troubleshoot and resolve problems in real time.
Market Relevance
The need for Tensor9’s services has grown with the rise of AI technologies, as enterprises, particularly in sensitive sectors like finance, prefer running their data internally rather than sharing it externally. Ten-Pow illustrated this with an example where an enterprise search vendor’s request to access extensive internal data would likely be rejected due to security risks.
Inspirations Behind Tensor9
Ten-Pow’s journey to founding Tensor9 began during his tenure as an AWS engineer. Initially, he explored creating solutions for helping software vendors achieve SOC 2 certification—a cybersecurity compliance standard. However, feedback from customer interactions revealed a stronger demand for deploying software directly within enterprises’ tech environments. This insight led to the establishment of Tensor9 in 2024, alongside co-founders Matthew Michie and Matthew Shanker.
Early Success and Expansion
Tensor9 initially found traction within the voice AI domain, steadily expanding into sectors such as enterprise search and data management. They have partnered with a variety of AI companies, including 11x, Retell AI, and Dyna AI.
Funding and Future Prospects
After a year of bootstrapping, Tensor9 secured $4 million in seed funding led by Wing VC, with contributions from Level Up Ventures and several angel investors. The challenge of acquiring investment was minimal, according to Ten-Pow, as potential investors were already familiar with the deployment issues faced by their portfolio companies. “We have a simple model but underneath the covers there’s a lot of complexity that makes that happen,” Ten-Pow noted, emphasizing the technical challenges the team has overcome.
Vision for the Future
With the newly acquired funding, Tensor9 aims to enhance its technology and expand into additional verticals. Ten-Pow envisions a synthesis of traditional on-premise solutions and cloud capabilities, stating, “there’s been an evolution from [on premise] to the cloud, and we think that this idea of software lives where it needs to, and operates where it needs to, is that next step.”
