Columbus Collaboratory

About Columbus Collaboratory

Originally established as the Columbus Collaboratory in February 2014, the company was rebranded as Covail before being acquired by GoSecure in December 2021. The formation of Columbus Collaboratory was a joint effort by seven major, non-competitive companies in Central Ohio: American Electric Power, Battelle, Cardinal Health, Huntington Bank, L Brands (now Bath & Body Works), Nationwide, and OhioHealth. These founding members invested a total of $28 million to create an advanced technology company focused on big data, analytics, and cybersecurity. The initiative was designed to address common technology challenges across different industries, aiming to improve operational efficiencies and create solutions with broad applicability.

Matt Wald was appointed as President and CEO in March 2015, becoming the first official employee and tasked with building the organization from the ground up. His background in corporate entrepreneurship, technology commercialization, and leading various business ventures positioned him to guide the company's growth. Wald, an Ohio State University engineering graduate, had previous experience at Battelle, where he focused on growing its IT solutions group and advancing technologies in data analytics and cybersecurity. Under his leadership, the company grew to nearly 40 employees and executed over 1,000 engagements, focusing on solving complex business problems through machine learning and advanced cyber defense practices.

The firm operated as a collaborative ecosystem, bringing together its member companies, collaborators, and commercial partners to tackle complex business issues. Its business model centered on providing advanced analytics and cybersecurity services to large enterprises. This included developing solutions in artificial intelligence (AI) automation, vulnerability management, and threat detection, which enabled clients to accelerate development, improve operations, and defend against cyber threats. The company's work also played a role in attracting technology talent to the Columbus region and upskilling the local workforce. Following its acquisition by GoSecure, a provider of managed detection and response (MDR) services, Covail's talent and proprietary technology were integrated to establish a regional cybersecurity hub in Central Ohio.