Kape Technologies
Kape Technologies is a British-Israeli digital privacy and cybersecurity company whose portfolio includes major consumer VPN and security brands.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Kape Technologies plc is a British-Israeli information-security and digital-privacy company that developed from Crossrider, a software business founded in 2011 by Smueli Achdut and Koby Menachemi. Its early business centered on a software development kit for building and monetizing browser extensions across multiple platforms. Although the technology was designed for extension distribution and monetization, it became widely used by advertising injectors and, according to accounts of the company’s history, by adware and malware developers. This association created reputational and business challenges and contributed to a major strategic redirection. Israeli businessman Teddy Sagi acquired Crossrider in late 2012. The company subsequently became publicly traded on London’s AIM market at a valuation reported at approximately $250 million. During its Crossrider period, it expanded through acquisitions including Ajillion in 2014 and Definiti Media later that year. The original browser-extension SDK business was ultimately discontinued as management shifted the company toward cybersecurity, privacy, and protection of users’ digital data. The strategic transition became particularly visible from 2016 onward. In 2017, Crossrider acquired CyberGhost VPN, beginning the construction of a consumer privacy portfolio. The corporate name changed to Kape Technologies plc in March 2018, reflecting the company’s repositioning away from the Crossrider identity and its earlier advertising-technology associations. Kape then added ZenMate in 2018, Private Internet Access in 2019, and ExpressVPN in 2021. In the same year, it acquired Webselenese, a publisher focused on VPN and privacy-service reviews. Kape also owns or has owned Intego, a security software business known for products serving Apple-platform users. Kape’s business model is based on operating and consolidating consumer-facing privacy and security services rather than presenting a single product under one master brand. Its portfolio spans virtual private networks, endpoint and device security, malware protection, privacy tools, and related editorial or comparison services. The best-known consumer brands associated with the group are CyberGhost, Private Internet Access, ZenMate, ExpressVPN, and Intego. These brands generally compete on secure internet access, online privacy, encryption, protection against malware and other digital threats, and availability across multiple devices. The company’s development center is located in the Azrieli Sarona Tower in Tel Aviv. Its products are marketed internationally through direct online subscriptions and digital distribution. Kape’s history is therefore defined by a transition from browser-extension monetization technology to a multinational consumer cybersecurity platform assembled through acquisitions. The available reference material does not establish a current chief executive, detailed present ownership structure beyond Teddy Sagi’s ownership, or a current stock ticker; those fields are left unspecified.
History
Kape Technologies began in 2011 as Crossrider, founded by Smueli Achdut and Koby Menachemi. The company initially developed a software development kit that allowed browser extensions to be deployed across platforms and monetized. Its tools supported advertising-related extension models, but the same capabilities attracted ad injectors and developers of adware and malware. The company struggled to prevent misuse of its technology, creating a difficult association between its platform and unwanted software distribution. In late 2012, Israeli businessman Teddy Sagi acquired Crossrider for a reported $37 million. Crossrider later entered London’s AIM market with a reported valuation of roughly $250 million. While operating under the Crossrider name, it made acquisitions including Ajillion in May 2014 for a reported $2.2 million and Definiti Media later in 2014 for a reported consideration in the range of $15 million to $20 million. A new management direction in 2016 led to a fundamental change in strategy. Crossrider stopped pursuing its browser SDK and began focusing on cybersecurity, online privacy, and protection of digital information. The company entered the VPN market through the acquisition of CyberGhost VPN in 2017. It acquired ZenMate in 2018 and changed its corporate name to Kape Technologies plc in March of that year. Private Internet Access joined the portfolio in 2019. Kape expanded again in 2021 by acquiring ExpressVPN and Webselenese. ExpressVPN strengthened the company’s position in consumer VPN services, while Webselenese added a content and comparison-publishing business related to privacy products. Kape’s wider portfolio also includes Intego, a security-software company associated particularly with products for Apple-platform users. The result is a corporate group organized around consumer privacy and cybersecurity brands rather than the original browser-extension monetization model. Kape’s services are sold internationally and cover VPN connectivity, online privacy, malware protection, endpoint security, and related digital-safety tools. The company’s development center is located in Tel Aviv’s Azrieli Sarona Tower. The supplied reference material does not provide enough information to identify current executives, a present ticker, or a precise current headquarters, so those details remain unfilled.
- 2021
ExpressVPN and Webselenese acquisitions
[1]Kape acquires ExpressVPN and Webselenese, broadening its VPN and privacy-content businesses.
- 2019
Private Internet Access acquisition
[1]Kape acquires Private Internet Access and expands its international consumer VPN operations.
- 2018
Corporate rebranding as Kape Technologies
[1]Crossrider changes its corporate name to Kape Technologies plc.
- 2018
ZenMate acquisition
[1]Kape adds ZenMate to its expanding VPN portfolio.
- 2017
CyberGhost joins the group
[1]Kape acquires CyberGhost VPN, entering the consumer VPN sector.
- 2016
Strategic shift to cybersecurity
[1]The company abandons its browser SDK focus and redirects its business toward digital privacy and cybersecurity.
- 2014
Acquisitions of Ajillion and Definiti Media
[1]Crossrider expands through acquisitions of Ajillion and Definiti Media.
- 2012
Teddy Sagi acquires Crossrider
[1]Israeli businessman Teddy Sagi acquires the company in late 2012.
- 2011
Crossrider is founded
[1]Smueli Achdut and Koby Menachemi establish Crossrider as a browser-extension software and monetization technology company.
Products and positioning
A global consumer digital-privacy and cybersecurity platform built around a portfolio of VPN, security, and privacy brands.
Virtual private network
ExpressVPN
A consumer VPN service acquired by Kape in 2021. It is positioned around encrypted internet access, online privacy, and access to VPN applications across multiple consumer devices and platforms.
Virtual private network
CyberGhost VPN
Kape’s first major VPN acquisition, completed in 2017. CyberGhost forms part of the group’s international privacy portfolio and provides consumer-oriented VPN connectivity and privacy tools.
Virtual private network
Private Internet Access
A VPN brand acquired by Kape in 2019. It contributes subscription-based privacy and secure-connectivity services to Kape’s multi-brand consumer cybersecurity platform.
Virtual private network
ZenMate
A consumer VPN service acquired by Kape in 2018. ZenMate expanded Kape’s coverage of consumer privacy products and complemented the company’s other VPN brands.
Consumer cybersecurity software
Intego
A security-software business associated with products for Apple-platform users. Intego broadens Kape’s portfolio beyond VPN services into malware protection and device security.
Privacy and VPN publishing
Webselenese
A publisher of VPN and privacy-service reviews acquired by Kape in 2021. It supports the group’s wider presence in privacy-related information and comparison content.
Controversies
2011
Crossrider technology associated with adware and malware misuse
During its Crossrider period, the company’s browser-extension monetization technology was used by advertising injectors and by developers associated with adware and malware. The reported inability to prevent misuse contributed to reputational pressure and preceded the later shift toward cybersecurity and privacy.
Brand decisions
2021
Acquire ExpressVPN and WebseleneseM&ABackground
Kape sought to increase its scale in consumer VPN services and related privacy information.
Action taken
The company acquired ExpressVPN and Webselenese.
Aftermath
The transactions expanded Kape’s VPN brand portfolio and added a privacy-focused publishing operation.
2018
Rebrand Crossrider as Kape TechnologiesStrategyBackground
The company was moving away from its earlier advertising-technology identity and toward privacy and cybersecurity.
Action taken
Crossrider changed its corporate name to Kape Technologies plc.
Aftermath
The Kape name became associated with a growing portfolio of VPN and security brands.
2016
Exit the browser-extension SDK businessStrategyBackground
Crossrider’s original extension-monetization technology had become associated with ad injection, adware, and malware misuse.
Action taken
The company redirected its strategy toward cybersecurity, digital privacy, and protection of digital data.
Aftermath
The strategic change led to the acquisition of CyberGhost VPN in 2017 and the subsequent assembly of a broader VPN and consumer-security portfolio.
Recent events
Kape Technologies acquires ExpressVPN[3]
Reported:
Tech.co reported that ExpressVPN had officially been acquired by Kape Technologies for $936 million. The article also says the acquisition was announced in a press release and that Kape would acquire ExpressVPN, which conflicts with the report that the acquisition was complete.
Kape Technologies announces acquisition of ExpressVPN[4]
Reported:
Kape Technologies announced that it would acquire ExpressVPN for $936 million. ExpressVPN was to continue operating as an independent service under the Kape Technologies umbrella.
Kape announces acquisition of Webselenese[5]
Reported:
Kape Technologies announced that it is acquiring Webselenese for $149.1 million in cash and shares. The article reports the acquisition as an announced transaction, not a completed one.
Kape Technologies announces planned acquisition of Private Internet Access[6]
Reported:
Kape Technologies announced a planned acquisition involving Private Internet Access’s parent organization, LTMI Holdings. The article reports that Kape would pay $95.5 million and assume $32.1 million in existing debt; the acquisition had not yet been completed.
Sources7 sources
- 1Kape Technologiesen.wikipedia.org
- 2Kape Technologies official websitekape.com
- 3Kape Technologies 收购 ExpressVPNtech.co
- 4Kape Technologies宣布收购ExpressVPNcalcalistech.com
- 5Kape宣布收购Webseleneseen.globes.co.il
- 6Kape Technologies宣布计划收购Private Internet Accesstorrentfreak.com
- 7Private Internet Access to Be Acquired by Kapefreerepublic.com
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