Data privacy startup DataBench bags cybersec heavyweight Paul Muller as CEO

Brisbane startup DataBench has appointed its first external CEO with founder David Christmas handing over the reins veteran tech exec Paul Muller.

Muller has been an advisor to the automated data privacy platform’s board for the past nine months and has previously been a C-suite exec for the likes of  VMWare, SAP, Oracle, Solnet and McAfee. He has more than 20 years of experience building and scaling business models for enterprise software companies and was most recently APAC regional manager of Nuix.

Christmas will move into the newly created role of chairman of DataBench’s parent holding company Portfolio4, which consists of four subsidiaries, including a patent business with six registered patents, another with additional automated data privacy capabilities, and a targeted play towards the global autonomous vehicle market.

DataBench co-founder David Christmas

The startup’s co-founder said Sydney-based Muller has been tasked with defining DataBench’s product and technology strategy and leveraging its technology solutions and advisory services to automate the way that businesses can comply with the new Privacy and Data Right laws in Australia and New Zealand.

Muller said DataBench is at an exciting stage in its growth.

“I see tremendous opportunity ahead with our data automation platform in helping businesses across Australia and New Zealand to operate in compliance with their respective Privacy and Personal Data Right landscape,” he said.

“The time, cost, resource requirements and legal risks to business today to meet with various Privacy Policies and Consumer Data Right  compliance – along with the frequent changes in policies – can be challenging and DataBench is ideally suited to help companies meet Privacy and CDR compliance requirements without the manual tasks.”

Christmas and co-founder Ben Cameron kicked off DataBench in 2018 in Brisbane after discovering that Australian businesses were at risk of data privacy compliance breaches which can attract civil penalties up to $10 million; or 10% of the annual turnover.

Muller said they will look to accelerate the product development roadmap and go-to-market plans with a Series A round in mid-2022.

“The product is in an amazing position, and David and the team should be incredibly proud of what they have built,” he said.

“I look forward to working with the Board and team to continue the momentum and build a foundation of world-class technology, and ecstatic customers, strong partners to propel us to the next level.”