Utrecht-based Florbs, a Dutch cybersecurity company focused on Cloud Data Protection for Google Drive, has raised over €1M in seed funding to support its platform expansion and international growth.
The investment came from founders including Chris Zadeh (Ohpen), Kalo Bagijn (BinckBank & Brand New Day), Kees Koolen (Booking.com), Maikel Lobbezoo (Adyen), and Dennis Dijkstra (Flow Traders).
Florbs reports that it has brought in experienced founders as investors before seeking institutional funding. Many of these investors have built companies in regulated industries, especially financial services, where data security and compliance are key.
A Data Loss Prevention (DLP) software
As GDPR enforcement increases and new regulations like the Network and Information Security Directive 2 (NIS2) approach, the demand for automated DLP policies is growing.
Research indicates that nearly 49 per cent of data breaches in EMEA originate internally, while over 68 per cent of breaches worldwide result from human error. Many of these incidents can be prevented with proper security measures. This is where Florbs looks to make a difference.
Founded in 2021, Florbs enables businesses to audit file access by identifying external shares, assessing risks, and offering security recommendations. It allows organisations to revoke or modify permissions across multiple files instantly to prevent unauthorised access.
By automating security workflows, Florbs helps businesses maintain compliance and reduce manual oversight. It is designed for CISOs, data protection officers, and IT managers to safeguard sensitive data in Google Drive. The company supports organisations in adhering to frameworks such as ISO, GDPR, and NIS2.
Tycho Klessens, CEO and co-founder of Florbs, says, “Sharing documents and data via email is second nature in today’s workplace, but do we really know where our information goes once it’s shared, or what happens when it leaves the organisation?”
“At Florbs, we provide businesses with the tools to take control of their documents & data, prevent leaks, and stop unauthorised access. Our platform doesn’t shut down access, it empowers organisations to intelligently monitor and manage data flows, ensuring compliance and reducing the risk of costly data breaches.”
Florbs is expanding globally with backing from experienced entrepreneurs.
Niek Waarbroek, CTO and co-founder of Florbs, adds, “We already serve over 40 enterprise customers, including Vopak, CitizenM, Wehkamp, and Randstad. Now we see an increasing demand from international customers coming from the US, Israel and New Zealand.”
How was Florbs born?
Niek Waarbroek has been working with Google Workspace since 2011, serving as a consultant, developer, and educator. In 2019, he was recognised as a Google Developer Expert, a status he continues to hold.
Over the years, he observed businesses struggling with file sharing control and data security in Google Drive, often relying on costly consultants, ineffective training, or unsustainable custom solutions.
Recognising the need for a better approach, Waarbroek envisioned a solution that would allow businesses to use Google Workspace’s collaboration tools without compromising security. This vision led to the creation of Florbs.
With a dedicated team, Waarbroek developed Florbs, a platform designed to give businesses clear oversight and control over Google Drive file sharing.
Since its launch, Florbs has helped over 300,000 users across 25 countries secure their data. The company maintains close collaboration with Google, working with Google Drive product owners and engineering teams to stay ahead of emerging security challenges.
Google Workspace simplifies file sharing but presents challenges in monitoring access and preventing data leaks. Florbs was built to tackle these issues, giving organisations a way to manage permissions effectively and protect sensitive data.
