At a glance.
- DNSFilter acquires Zorus.
- Hawk raises $56 million in Series C round.
Mergers and acquisitions.
Washington, DC-based DNS security firm DNSFilter has acquired Florida-headquartered endpoint-based web filtering and user behavior analytics company Zorus. DNSFilter stated, "The acquisition combines the strengths of both platforms to deliver a comprehensive security solution. Zorus’ MSP-first approach, enhanced endpoint filtering technology, and insightful user behavior analytics will integrate with DNSFilter’s robust AI-based threat efficacy and resilient global network."
Pittsburgh-based managed IT and security provider Magna5 has acquired Shock IT, a managed IT support company located near Philadelphia. Robert Farina, CEO of Magna5, stated, "This acquisition strengthens our presence across the Mid-Atlantic region, adds new capabilities in network design and installation services, and enables us to bring additional managed IT and cybersecurity services to Shock IT's customers."
Investments and exits.
German anti-money laundering company Hawk has raised $56 million in a Series C round led by One Peak, with participation from existing investors Macquarie Capital, Rabobank, BlackFin Capital Partners, Sands Capital, DN Capital, Picus, and Coalition. The company says the funding "will support continued product innovation as well as Hawk’s global expansion, particularly into the US."
San Francisco-based AI deployment security firm Virtue AI has raised $30 million in Seed and Series A funding led by Lightspeed Venture Partners and Walden Catalyst Ventures, with participation from Prosperity7 and other existing investors. The company says it will use the funding to "expand its platform capabilities, strengthen its market presence, and continue attracting world-class AI safety talent committed to enabling responsible AI deployment worldwide."
French security technology company Sekoia.io has raised €26 million (US$29 million) in a Series B round led by Revaia, with participation from UNEXO and existing investors Bright Pixel Capital, Omnes Capital, and Bpifrance. The company says it plans to use the funding to "[s]trengthen its AI and automation capabilities to address the cybersecurity talent shortage," "[a]ccelerate its expansion in various regions beyond Europe to replicate the repeatable business model successfully deployed in France," and "[m]ultiply its partnerships with MSSPs to democratize access to high performance cybersecurity for companies of all sizes."
US-based agentic AI security platform provider Outtake has secured $16.5 million in a Series A round led by CRV.
French autonomous security operations center company Qevlar AI has raised an additional $10 million, bringing its total funding to $14 million. The funding, which was led by EQT Ventures and Forgepoint Capital International, "will propel Qevlar AI's rapid growth, enabling further team expansion – after quadrupling in the past year – while driving advanced product research and development, and accelerating international market expansion."
Israeli AI software security startup Pillar Security has raised $9 million in seed funding led by Shield Capital, with participation from Golden Ventures, Ground Up Ventures, and angel investors.
German identity security startup Unosecur has raised $5 million in a seed round led by VentureFriends and DFF Ventures, with participation from Leo Capital, Heartfelt (APX), and angel investors. The company's CEO Santhosh Jayaprakash says the funding "provides the resources we need to accelerate our platform’s development and expand our market presence."
Executive moves.
AU10TIX has named Yair Tal as its new CEO. The company's former CEO, Dan Yerushalmi, is stepping down to spend more time with his family.
Claroty has appointed Yuval Fessler as Chief Legal Officer.
Axonius named former Disney CISO Ryan Knisley as its Chief Product Strategist.
Barracuda has hired Ketan Tailor as Chief Customer Officer.