Published on 04/30/2025
What if your car’s safety systems could shrug off a cyberattack, not through clever coding, but through hardware so secure, software doesn’t even enter the picture?
That’s the radical premise behind Symple Solutions, a Virginia-based startup transforming how we think about cybersecurity in safety-critical systems. And it’s one of several ventures thriving under the support of the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative’s (CCI) Central Virginia Node (CVN), a catalyst for turning breakthrough research into real-world innovation.
Symple Solutions: Pioneering Hardware-Based Cybersecurity
Founded by Carl Elks, Ph.D. at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), the company focuses on enhancing the reliability and security of safety-critical systems through hardware-based solutions. By leveraging Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) technology, Symple Solutions designs systems that are inherently more resistant to cyberattacks, software design flaws, and environmental hazards.
The startup’s approach addresses the limitations of software-based systems, offering a more robust alternative for applications where failure is not an option. This includes sectors such as aerospace, automotive, and industrial control systems, where ensuring system integrity is paramount.
“Most cybersecurity solutions are algorithmic and software-driven,” Elks explained. “Ours is all hardware. There’s no software in the loop. That’s a huge differentiator, especially in safety-critical industries like power, aerospace, and industrial automation.”
The name “Symple” isn’t just a play on words, it reflects the company’s commitment to “complexity awareness.” As Elks puts it: “We don’t add complexity to a system unless it’s absolutely needed. That helps improve both safety and security.”
Impact of CCI CVN’s Support
Symple Solutions’ journey was significantly bolstered by seed funding from CCI CVN, which facilitated the transition from academic research to a market-ready product.
“CCI really helped us in three ways,” Elks said. “First, we were able to officially set up the company. Second, we began marketing the idea and getting valuable feedback. Third, and this was huge, we built a solid business plan. CCI helped bridge the gap from research to commercialization, which is often the hardest part.”
This backing enabled Symple Solutions to refine its technology, engage with potential clients, and position itself as a key player in the hardware-based cybersecurity domain. The company’s progress exemplifies how targeted support can accelerate the commercialization of innovative research.
Looking Ahead: A Success Story in Progress
While Symple Solutions is still finalizing major deals, the future looks bright. Elks believes the next six months will mark a turning point.
“We’re close,” he said. “We’ll be able to say, ‘Yeah, that’s our tech inside that product.’ That’s what success looks like to me, having something we built out in the world, being used.”
Though the company hasn’t yet made a major impact locally in Richmond, Elks notes that Dominion Energy is watching with interest, and internationally, Symple Solutions is already on the radar of billion-dollar corporations.
Supporting Innovation Across Virginia
Symple Solutions is one of several startups that CCI CVN has helped launch. Since its inception, CCI has invested in dozens of experiential learning and commercialization projects across the Commonwealth, injecting over $900,000 into early-stage efforts in just one year.
Through strategic investments and support, CCI CVN continues to nurture startups like Symple Solutions, driving innovation and strengthening Virginia’s position as a leader in cybersecurity.
