The startup of Twistlock founders closes – and returns part of the money to investors

The founders of Twistlock, Ben Bernstein, Dima Stopel, and John Morello, are closing their follow-up venture, Minimus (formerly Gutsy), and returning the remaining cash to investors. The company raised $51 million but encountered commercial difficulties in a competitive market. After failed attempts at a merger or acquisition, an unusual decision was made to close and return the funds.

The founders of Twistlock, Ben Bernstein, Dima Stopel, and John Morello, are closing their follow-up venture, Minimus (formerly Gutsy), and returning the remaining cash in the treasury to investors. The three, considered veterans of the Israeli cybersecurity industry, achieved an impressive exit in 2019 when they sold Twistlock to Palo Alto Networks for approximately $410 million. Minimus, which developed software for the container industry, raised $51 million in a first round from funds YL Ventures and Mayfield. Despite a pivot and employee layoffs, the company encountered difficulties in commercial traction in a saturated and competitive global market. After attempts to lead to a merger, acquisition, or sale of the development team did not materialize, the founders made an unusual decision not to drag the operation to the last dollar, but to close and return the remaining funds to investors.