Horizon3.ai, a San Francisco-based cybersecurity startup specializing in autonomous penetration testing and AI-powered threat detection, is raising a new $100 million funding round and has already secured at least $73 million, according to a recent SEC filing.
The funding is being led by NEA (New Enterprise Associates), marking the venture firm’s second major cybersecurity bet in recent weeks. Sources familiar with the deal told TechCrunch that Horizon3.ai is now valued at more than $750 million, though it’s unclear whether that figure reflects a pre- or post-money valuation. Another source indicated the full $100 million raise may be completed soon.
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Founded in 2019 by ex-military and cybersecurity veterans, Horizon3.ai is led by co-founder and CEO Snehal Antani, a former CTO of Splunk and U.S. military cyber operations leader. The company develops AI-based tools for autonomous penetration testing and attack simulation, helping organizations identify vulnerabilities before bad actors can exploit them.
Horizon3.ai is reportedly generating around $30 million in annual recurring revenue, underscoring its traction in a rapidly evolving cybersecurity market. Earlier this year, the startup announced it had achieved 101% year-over-year revenue growth and surpassed 150% of its Q4 pipeline goals.
The company’s momentum aligns with the growing demand for automated, AI-powered security tools amid the rise of machine-driven cyberattacks. As threat actors increasingly weaponize AI, platforms like Horizon3.ai’s NodeZero offer a proactive defense mechanism, allowing IT teams to simulate breaches and patch weaknesses before real-world exploitation.
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This round follows Horizon3.ai’s $40 million Series C in August 2023, led by Craft Ventures with participation from SignalFire, bringing its previous total raised to $78.5 million. The new capital will likely fuel product development, federal expansion, and growth in engineering and channel partnerships.
Notably, Horizon3.ai recently secured FedRAMP authorization, a major milestone that clears the way for U.S. federal agencies to purchase its cybersecurity solutions — a potentially lucrative market expansion opportunity.
NEA’s back-to-back cybersecurity investments — including Veza’s $108 million round last month at an $800 million valuation — signal growing VC confidence in startups that blend AI, automation, and robust security infrastructure.
While Horizon3.ai has not yet confirmed when the remaining portion of the $100 million round will close, the company is clearly positioning itself for scale in a sector where speed, intelligence, and adaptability are more critical than ever.
