Cybersecurity Startups Just Secured Over $160 Million as AI Threats Surge Globally

As artificial intelligence reshapes the tech landscape, it’s also fueling a darker frontier: AI-powered cyberattacks. In response, two cybersecurity startups—Horizon3.ai and Ox Security—have made major moves, collectively raising over $160 million to scale their battle against increasingly sophisticated digital threats.

San Francisco-based Horizon3.ai is making headlines after revealing in a recent SEC filing that it’s raising $100 million in a fresh funding round, with $73 million already secured. The round is led by NEA, and according to insiders, the cybersecurity firm is now valued at over $750 million. Founded by former U.S. Special Operations cyber operatives, Horizon3.ai specializes in autonomous penetration testing, giving companies the ability to simulate real-world attacks and identify vulnerabilities before hackers do.

Led by CEO Snehal Antani, a former CTO at Splunk and a cybersecurity leader within the U.S. military, Horizon3.ai has seen meteoric growth. In just one year, the company reported a 101% year-over-year revenue increase and recently achieved FedRAMP authorization, unlocking access to federal clients. Its tools are in high demand as AI-based threats evolve, and organizations scramble to plug gaps in their digital defenses.

On the other side of the globe, Ox Security, a Tel Aviv and New York-based firm, just closed a $60 million Series B round led by DTCP and backed by giants like IBM Ventures, Microsoft, and Swisscom. Co-founded by former Check Point engineers Neatsun Ziv and Lior Arzi, Ox Security focuses on scanning both AI-generated and traditional code to detect vulnerabilities in real time. With more than 100 million lines of code analyzed daily across clients like SoFi, eToro, and even Microsoft, the startup is quickly establishing itself as a leader in secure software development.

According to Ziv, Ox Security is already generating $10 million in annual recurring revenue, with plans to double that figure by year’s end. The new capital will be used to scale operations, enhance its AI capabilities, and expand into untapped markets. The company has its sights set on long-term dominance, aiming to become cash-flow-positive within the next three years.

What connects both startups—aside from their financial momentum—is their core mission: defending organizations from the growing wave of AI-enabled cyber threats. As AI helps developers code faster, it also gives bad actors the tools to build more complex attacks. Companies like Horizon3.ai and Ox Security are stepping in to fill this dangerous gap, offering smart, scalable solutions that modern enterprises urgently need.

As cyberattacks evolve at breakneck speed, this surge in funding signals a new era where proactive, AI-powered cybersecurity is no longer optional—it’s essential. With federal agencies and Fortune 10 clients already on board, the future of digital defense may be in the hands of these bold, innovative disruptors.