Why We Invested in Shift5
JetBlue Ventures recently announced our investment in Shift5, the onboard data company based in northern Virginia. Shift5 unlocks the complete ecosystem of onboard data for operations, maintenance, and cybersecurity teams for the first time. We are thrilled to back a great team and join a fantastic syndicate that includes Insight Partners, AEI HorizonX, Squadra Ventures, and 645 Ventures.
Aircraft are powered by hundreds of onboard components, or avionics, that constantly work together to ensure flight operations run smoothly. As aircraft are modernized, the complexity increases. For airline operators, this complexity can be challenging to navigate apart from the ability to access, analyze, and take action on this onboard data. Shift5 has come to market to address this challenge.
Most cybersecurity companies focus on protecting information technology (IT) systems — in the case of an airline, this would include things like the reservation system, scheduling software, and business applications used in finance, accounting, and human resources. Shift5 is one of the few companies whose products protect the hardware, software, and data that monitors and controls equipment, assets, processes, and events around operational technology (OT). While most OT cybersecurity companies are developing products aimed at protecting factories, utilities, and other fixed infrastructure, Shift5’s products are unique because they are designed to detect and prevent cyberattacks on the complex data systems onboard aircraft, ships, locomotives, tanks, and the like, making them a perfect fit for our investment portfolio.
Shift5 brings order to the complexity of onboard data flowing from commercial aircraft. Its platform captures and analyzes onboard data, allowing operators to gain observability into exactly what happens aboard an aircraft. Gaining access to this data allows operators to not only make real-time cyber decisions, but also enables capabilities such as predictive maintenance and compliance.
Our investment in Shift5 falls into our Next-Generation Aviation Operations and Enterprise Tech theme. In this theme, we partner with companies building innovations that enhance safety, improve operations, and drive enterprise-wide efficiencies. Shift5 joins our previous cybersecurity investments in Threatlocker and Shape Security as part of this theme.
Accessing, managing, and analyzing aircraft data is crucial to effective cybersecurity and resilience, as well as our digital transformation strategy. Shift5 is one of the tools the commercial aviation industry can use to improve the collection and use of aircraft operating data. When software detects an anomaly in an aircraft’s operational data, the first question is whether that is evidence of a cyberattack or a maintenance issue. Better and faster anomaly detection via technology will also lead to safer, more reliable, and more cost-effective flight operations.
Before we invested, Shift5’s products were being used to protect U.S. military assets. The traction and results they achieved working with the military and government were impressive. Our goal is to help Shift5 expand its focus into commercial aviation and provide them with the technical and subject matter expertise they need to succeed on the commercial aviation front. With our aviation expertise and their background in the military, intelligence, and cybersecurity software worlds, it’s hard to imagine a better team to take on this opportunity.
The protection of critical infrastructure, such as commercial aircraft, is essential to ensuring the safety and security of customers and crewmembers. Shift5’s solution provides a means to safeguard these assets while also creating operational efficiency within the business.
Shift5’s management team has a strong vision for the company’s future and the ability to execute on these plans. We see Shift5 as being uniquely positioned to provide the necessary solutions needed to protect industries against emerging cyber threats. We’re excited to support them as they bring their vision to reality.
