Apate
Apate deploys conversational AI bots at scale for scam prevention, disruption, and intelligence to banks, telecom companies, government agencies, utilities.
- Company
- Macquarie Park, NSW, AUAustralia
Apate deploys conversational AI bots at scale for scam prevention, disruption, and intelligence to banks, telecom companies, government agencies, utilities.
**TechCrunch Disrupt 2026** showcases **200 startups** selected from thousands of applicants, pitching innovations across industries. **Intero Biosystems** wins the $100,000 prize for its mini-human intestine drug-testing platform, while **Apate** places second with AI-driven fraud intelligence. Standout companies include **Lola Vision Systems** (AI sensor fusion), **Krokos Bio** (sustainable saffron production), and **Legali AI** (trauma-informed legal AI). **Ardook Data**, founded by Shogher Atanesyan, earns the *Spirit of Disrupt* award for organizing volunteer support and fostering community among founders.
Oct 2026TechCrunchNews article
Intero Biosystems wins the 2026 Startup Battlefield at TechCrunch Disrupt, earning recognition for its work developing miniature human intestinal organoids. The Denver-based startup spun out of the University of Michigan and sells GastroScreen to pharmaceutical, biotech, food, and chemical companies to test how drugs and other compounds affect the body. Its lab-grown gut tissue offers researchers another way to study compounds before testing them in people.
Oct 2026TechCrunchNews article
Apate deploys thousands of AI agents undercover to engage scammers and gather fraud intelligence. The agents pose as people with different identities, answer calls and messages, follow phishing links, and try to uncover details such as bank accounts, crypto wallets, and malicious websites. Banks, telecom companies, government agencies, and utilities use the intelligence to inform anti-fraud measures; customers include Commonwealth Bank of Australia and TPG Telecom. The 20-person startup raises $8.15 million in seed funding and plans product development and international expansion.
Oct 2026TechCrunchNews article
Apate.AI secures **A$11.4 million** from Lobby Capital to deploy AI-powered scam decoys. The company’s adversarial bots impersonate fraud victims to gather real-time intelligence for financial institutions like banks and telecom operators. This funding will accelerate scaling of its fraud detection capabilities.
Sep 2026PomegraNews article