Exaforce raises $125M Series B to build AI that stops cyberattacks in real time
As cybercriminals increasingly weaponize artificial intelligence to exploit software vulnerabilities at breakneck speed, companies are scrambling to upgrade their defenses. One startup, Exaforce, is betting big on fighting fire with fire. The three-year-old company just announced a massive Exaforce Series B funding round of $125 million, bringing its total raised to $200 million and valuing the firm at $725 million.
This funding round comes only a year after Exaforce secured a $75 million Series A. The rapid capital infusion highlights both the high cost of building an AI-powered security operations center (SOC) and the enormous market opportunity investors see in automated cyber defense. Participants in this round include HarbourVest, Peak XV, Mayfield, Khosla Ventures, and Seligman Ventures.
What Exaforce does: AI agents that hunt threats live
Exaforce develops what it calls “Exabots”—AI agents capable of deep data analysis to automate security operations. These agents take the heavy lifting off human analysts, filtering through thousands of alerts to identify real threats. According to co-founder and CEO Ankur Singla, the mission is straightforward: “Apply AI to catch and stop threats as they happen. It’s a very simple mandate, but it’s very complex to execute.”
The core problem for security teams is the overwhelming number of false positives. A typical security operations person receives hundreds of alerts daily. Umesh Padval, managing partner at Seligman Ventures, compares the task to “looking for a needle in a haystack.” Exaforce claims its platform can reduce manual, time-consuming work by as much as 90%.
New features: natural language queries and rapid customer growth
In response to the rising tide of cyberattacks, Exaforce recently introduced “vibe hunting.” This feature allows security teams to query the AI platform using natural language based on simple hunches. “You can ask a very simple hypothesis like, ‘Did we get any new attacks from Iran?’” Singla explained. This capability makes threat investigation accessible even to less technical staff.
Exaforce officially launched its product in the fourth quarter of last year, following two years of testing with design partners. Since then, the startup has signed 20 customers, including notable names like Replit and Guardant Health. Singla told TechCrunch that high-profile cyberattacks have “supercharged our ability to get to customers, because the customers now don’t ask, ‘Why do I need this?’” Instead, the question is now, “How do I operationalize it?” The startup expects to reach 40 to 50 customers by year’s end.
Competitive landscape: who else is in the AI cybersecurity race?
Exaforce is not alone in applying AI to security operations. The company faces competition from emerging startups like 7AI, Dropzone AI, and Prophet Security, as well as established industry giants such as Palo Alto Networks and CrowdStrike. However, Exaforce’s focus on real-time detection and its unique “Exabots” approach may give it an edge in a crowded field.
For more insights on how AI is transforming cybersecurity, check out our guide on AI cybersecurity trends and learn about building SOC automation.
What’s next for Exaforce?
With $200 million in total funding, Exaforce plans to scale its engineering team, expand sales, and continue refining its AI models. The company is also investing in research to stay ahead of rapidly evolving attack techniques. As Singla put it, the goal is to make cybersecurity proactive rather than reactive—catching threats before they cause damage.
The Exaforce Series B funding signals strong investor confidence in AI-driven cybersecurity. As more organizations face sophisticated, AI-powered attacks, solutions like Exaforce’s may become essential tools in the digital defense arsenal.
