- Soverli allows multiple operating systems to run simultaneously on a single smartphone
- Mission-critical users can maintain their workflow even if Android is compromised
- Employees can separate personal and work environments without sacrificing device functionality.
Soverli, a Swiss cybersecurity startup, announced a new approach to mobile security that works with Android and iOS on commercial smartphones.
The company aims to provide a fully verifiable operating system layer, capable of operating independently, even if the underlying operating system is compromised.
This architecture allows organizations to maintain operational continuity without sacrificing the functionality and convenience that users expect from standard devices.
Critical applications and early adoption
Observers often compare Soverli’s model to Proton’s, applying a similar high-assurance approach to smartphones rather than email and VPN services.
Soverli’s initial use cases focus on critical communication for public sector organizations and first responders.
Pilots include emergency services, police and fire units, where constant availability is essential.
By running a dedicated software stack independent of Android, essential workflows remain functional even in the event of misconfigurations or attacks affecting the core operating system.
Journalists and human rights defenders can also take advantage of the isolated environment to protect their communications, ensuring that secure messaging applications operate free from surveillance or interference.
“We have built a fully auditable smartphone sovereign layer that remains operational even when Android is compromised,” said Ivan Puddu, co-founder and CEO of Soverli.
“It’s a paradigm shift: instead of hoping that the operating system never crashes, Soverli guarantees continuity if it does, without forcing users to give up the modern smartphone experience they expect.”
The platform has attracted interest from companies exploring secure bring-your-own-device programs.
Employees can maintain a personal environment alongside a tightly controlled professional workspace, protecting sensitive company data without compromising privacy.
The architecture supports standard business smartphones while separating personal and work environments.
Security features integrate with mobile device management systems and provide protection against identity theft through auditable verification processes.
Engineers developed the technology over four years at ETH Zurich, allowing multiple operating systems to run simultaneously on a single device without hardware modifications.
The patent-pending system reduces the attack surface for critical applications, while encryption tools protect data inside the isolated operating system.
Users can switch between Android and the sovereign operating system in milliseconds, balancing convenience and increased security.
The startup demonstrated that Signal runs inside the sovereign layer, confirming that messages remain confidential even if the core operating system is compromised.
This approach aligns with Europe’s broader efforts towards digital sovereignty, where governments and organizations need auditable infrastructure.
Smartphones, long considered a weak point, can now support sovereign-level protection without removing features or imposing usability compromises.
With $2.6 million in pre-seed funding, Soverli plans to expand its engineering teams, strengthen OEM partnerships, and expand integrations with enterprise productivity tools.
“People deserve phones they can actually trust, and OEMs need to provide them,” said Antonia Albert, an investor at Founderful.
“Soverli’s Swiss-made sovereign layer is the kind of breakthrough that can rewrite the rules of mobile security.”
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