Illicit trade prevention innovation

Creators of cybersecurity and intelligence software to tackle online illicit trade, Vistalworks is based in the UK and Estonia.

Vistalworks has been pioneering in recognising online illicit trade as a cyber and national security threat and a barrier to business growth and EU market integrity. There is no other company that specialises in actionable illicit trade intelligence across such a broad area of regulations, languages, and jurisdictions.

Continually innovating into new areas of illicit trade prevention, we’ve created world-leading intelligence technology for both enforcement and industry, including software to enable Trusted Flaggers respond to new EU legislation. (Trusted Flaggers will be organisations and industry groups empowered through the EU Digital Services Act (DSA) to identify and directly instruct the removal of illicit goods and harmful content on online platforms and ecommerce marketplaces).

The UK Government (DSIT) named Vistalworks as one of 2023’s Most Innovative Cyber SMEs, and our innovative technology was noted at the 2022 UN Illicit Trade Forum. Vistalworks is Microsoft Startup Partner and alumni of the Microsoft AI for Environmental Sustainability, and the NCSC (part of GCHQ) Cyber Accelerator.

Our team share passionate belief in making the world a better place by tackling harmful illicit trade.

Vistalworks’ Story

Vistalworks formed in response to a 2018 Government innovation challenge seeking technology to reduce demand for goods sold illegally online, after enforcement agencies realised that targeting the supply-side alone could not sufficiently reduce growing global volumes of online crime.

A category creator specialising in actionable illicit trade intelligence across the full spectrum of regulations, Vistalworks has created software products that support online platforms, industry, and governments in their efforts to prevent harmful content and illegally sold products.

Considerable traction has been achieved by being:

• Demand led with paying government users since formation and ongoing guidance from specialist industry and enforcement stakeholders.

• First to market with solutions for industry, manufacturers, businesses, and ecommerce platforms, in response to EU and UK regulation changes.

• Multi-language and Interoperable with government and 3rd party systems. Proven in multiple EU & UK jurisdictions and regulatory areas.

Vistalworks founding team are all highly experienced multi-business technology founders, who have built and sold software products internationally, developed teams, raised investment, and successfully exited businesses.

Vicky Brock, CEO and Founder (pictured) was named Scotland’s Most Inspiring Business Person 2017, Leading Woman in Tech 2019 and Innovator of the Year at the 2014 Everywoman in Technology Awards. Her previous software firm was named Top Tech Startup in Europe by the European Commission.

Stephen Budd, Chief Product Officer and Founder has been responsible for creating and delivering innovative, award-winning data products to market, ranging from retail analytics, med tech, financial services (London Stock Exchange) and cybersecurity.

Alan Murray, Founder is a highly experienced technology operations executive and financial director. During his career with Wood Mackenzie & EY he has built and exited multiple businesses harnessing the power of datasets and translating those into actionable information for corporate & government stakeholders.

Photo credit - Johan Paul Hion

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