Israeli Cyber Startup Minimus Shuts Down, Returns Cash to Investors
Israeli cybersecurity startup Minimus is shutting down, returning $51 million to investors after failing to gain commercial momentum.
Jerusalem, 24 August, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Cybersecurity startup Minimus is shutting down and will return its remaining cash to investors after failing to gain enough commercial momentum, the company’s founders said Monday.
Ben Bernstein, Dima Stopel and John Morello, who sold their previous company, Twistlock, to Palo Alto Networks for about $410 million in 2019, raised $51 million for Minimus in 2022. The funding round was led by YL Ventures and Mayfield.
The company, which developed stripped-down container images designed to reduce software vulnerabilities, will maintain its products and provide support for 60 days. Its registry will shut down on Oct. 22, after which previously downloaded images will continue to function but receive no further updates.
The founders said the remaining funds will be returned to investors after an unsuccessful strategic process to find a buyer.