Value Aligners is the AI-powered research and matching layer for SMB cybersecurity - analyst-grade guidance and a curated vendor marketplace, without the enterprise price tag.
SMBs lack the capital, in-house talent, and time to evaluate vendors. Most don't know what questions to ask. The average enterprise security consultant charges $8,500+ for an assessment SMBs can't afford.
Agentic and generative AI attacks are targeting softer SMB targets specifically. Recent attacks on local schools and community businesses show that "too small to target" is no longer true - and the market has nowhere to point SMBs.
A client app + marketplace + certification layer. Any SMB gets analyst-grade guidance and a direct path to vetted vendors - in under 10 minutes, at no cost to the SMB.
A 15-question AI triage scores cybersecurity posture across industry, size, compliance regime, and budget - in minutes, free, no IT knowledge required.
An adaptive recommender routes SMBs to vendors matched to their unique risk profile across 1,000+ industry niches. Narrows 9,800 vendors to 3-5 right-fit solutions.
A vendor-vetting and SLA framework - every listed vendor earns certification through performance standards. SMBs get assurance; vendors earn distribution rights.
Phase Two opens API connections so vetted vendors deliver services - vulnerability assessments, monitoring, incident response - directly through the platform. Value Aligners mediates relationships and enforces SLAs.
MSPs own the SMB relationship but lack security depth. Value Aligners equips them with triage tools, a curated marketplace, and the Value Aligners certification - enabling them to upgrade to MSSP with zero product build required.
Education-led content strategy builds top-of-funnel trust. SMBs self-identify, complete free triage, and convert. No cold outreach required - the product is the funnel.
Channel program in formal development. White-label framework is a core infrastructure proof point and primary distribution accelerator - reducing go-to-market dependency on direct SMB acquisition.
Too large for DIY security - too small for enterprise MSSPs. This is the gap no well-funded company has claimed.
| Value Aligners | Marketplaces (G2, etc.) | Enterprise vendors | Generic MSPs | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Decision enablement for SMBs | ✓ AI-guided triage | - Listings only | - Sales-led, enterprise | - Ad-hoc |
| Vendor vetting & SLA enforcement | ✓ Certification layer | - User reviews only | N/A | - None |
| Industry-specific routing (1,000+ niches) | ✓ Adaptive matching | - Category-only | - Verticalized silo | - Limited |
| White-label MSP channel | ✓ Core GTM design | - No | - Partial, expensive | ~ Owns relationship |
| SMB pays nothing to access | ✓ Vendor-side monetization | - Paid listings | - Enterprise contracts | - Monthly retainer |
Inspired by independent standards bodies and institutional research models - purpose-built for the part of the market they ignore.
Pay-per-lead, subscription, or commission-on-close for vendors. Estimated 50-80% CAC reduction vs. traditional outbound. Phase Two unlocks recurring transaction revenue.
Tiered partner program: MSPs pay a platform license fee to deploy Value Aligners under their brand + receive revenue share on vendor transactions. Scales with MSP client base.
Vendor certification fees and paid intelligence reports. A standards-body brand annuity that compounds with SMB adoption - the more SMBs trust the certification, the more vendors must pay to earn it.
| Revenue Stream | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vendor lead / listing fees | $40K | $280K | $820K |
| White-label MSP licensing | $0 | $120K | $490K |
| Certification fees | $20K | $110K | $310K |
| Intelligence reports / content | $0 | $30K | $120K |
| Total ARR | $60K | $540K | $1.74M |
| Monthly Burn | $28K | $42K | $68K |
| Runway (at close) | ~24 months on $2M raise | ||
| Projections are illustrative; based on 75-vendor pipeline, MSP channel ramp, and Phase Two delivery in Month 14-18. Subject to revision with CFO hire. | |||