Fast-growing AI-based Kubernetes optimization startup

Today’s startup is using AI and an open-source model to tap the fast-growing FinOps market. It is led by a single founder, solving an acute pain point he encountered as a senior DevOps engineer: unmanaged cloud waste. His AI-based solution slashes runaway Kubernetes spend with an autopilot engine, saving up to 30 % on cloud bills, and serving a fast-growing number of clients, including paid pilots with giants such as Volkswagen and Bytedance.

Company name: KOR

Website: www.k8szone.com

What they do (in a sentence):
KOR is a Kubernetes resource optimizer that automatically removes unused workloads and rightsizes clusters to cut cloud costs by as much as 30%.

Why now:

Kubernetes adoption is on the rise, and as a result, cloud waste is skyrocketing. Waste now accounts for an estimated 40 % of cluster spend, and FinOps teams are under pressure to deliver quick savings.

Team highlights:

• Yonah Dissen, Founder and CEO: Served as a DevOps engineer in Israel’s intel unit 8200, then as a senior engineer in VMware and more. 

• Yisrael Gross, Board member and investor – repeat founder with deep cloud and DevOps experience and prior exits in cloud automation.

Traction:

• Production-ready platform already deployed with design-partner clusters running thousands of pods.

• Early sales pipeline of  ~$1M ARR from inbound interest. 

• Paid pilots with major corporations, including Volkswagen, Bytedance, and others.

Competitive edge / moats:

• First mover offering one-click “autopilot” remediation rather than passive cost reporting.

• Data advantage from design-partner clusters, continuously training the algorithms.

Capital raised: Undisclosed. 

Investors: Pre-seed round backed by TYH Investments

Contact: To inquire about investment or partnership opportunities, contact Yisrael Gross, or request an introduction by replying to this email.

That’s all for today.

Yours,

Tzakhi

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