Horizon3.ai raising $100M to expand AI security
Horizon3.ai, a San Francisco-based cybersecurity startup, is raising $100M in a round led by NEA, with $73M already secured, per an SEC filing. The funding will support expansion of its AI-powered security tools amid strong growth.
While neither Horizon3.ai nor NEA have commented publicly on the funding, sources familiar with the matter suggest the company could be valued north of $750 million. One insider indicated that the startup aims to complete the full $100 million raise, and is currently generating about $30 million in annual recurring revenue.
Horizon3.ai specializes in autonomous penetration testing—automated tools that simulate real-world cyberattacks to uncover vulnerabilities before bad actors can exploit them. Its AI-powered solutions position the company at the forefront of a growing market responding to the rapid evolution of cyber threats, especially those accelerated by artificial intelligence.
The latest funding push builds on Horizon3.ai’s $40 million Series C round in August 2023, which was led by Craft Ventures with participation from SignalFire. That round brought the startup’s total raised to $78.5 million and was earmarked for research and development, expanding sales channels, and hiring engineering talent.
Founded in 2019 by Snehal Antani—a former CTO of Splunk and cyber operations leader in the U.S. military’s Joint Special Operations Command—Horizon3.ai brings a unique blend of enterprise tech and national defense experience. The team is composed of ex-Special Operations cyber operatives and seasoned cybersecurity experts.
Horizon3.ai's recent milestones reflect its growing traction in both the public and private sectors. Earlier this month, the company received FedRAMP authorization, clearing the way to sell to U.S. federal agencies. In February, it announced 101% year-over-year revenue growth and exceeded 150% of its Q4 sales pipeline goals, although specific figures were not disclosed.
NEA’s investment in Horizon3.ai follows its participation in Veza’s $108 million round announced in April, signaling a continued appetite for backing AI-driven cybersecurity startups.
With AI-generated threats becoming more sophisticated, Horizon3.ai’s mission to provide proactive, automated defense systems is resonating with both investors and customers. As the company moves closer to completing its latest raise, it is poised to play a central role in the future of cyber defense.
