In a significant milestone for the cybersecurity industry, Horizon3.ai, a fast-growing security startup based in the United States, has secured $100 million in a funding round led by New Enterprise Associates (NEA). The investment, announced on May 29, 2025, will fuel the expansion of Horizon3.ai’s innovative automated penetration-testing platform, NodeZero. This platform has gained attention for its ability to help organizations identify and address vulnerabilities in their digital infrastructure before malicious actors can exploit them. With cyber threats becoming more sophisticated, Horizon3.ai’s latest funding round signals strong investor confidence in its mission to strengthen enterprise security through automation and artificial intelligence.
A Growing Need for Advanced Cybersecurity
The cybersecurity landscape is evolving rapidly, with businesses and government agencies facing an increasing number of cyberattacks. According to a 2023 report by Cybersecurity Ventures, global cybercrime costs are expected to reach $10.5 trillion annually by 2025, highlighting the urgent need for robust security solutions. Traditional penetration testing, which involves manually simulating cyberattacks to uncover vulnerabilities, is often time-consuming and expensive. Horizon3.ai’s NodeZero platform addresses these challenges by automating the process, allowing organizations to test their systems continuously and at scale.
Founded in 2019 by former U.S. military cyber operators and industry experts, Horizon3.ai has quickly established itself as a leader in the automated penetration-testing space. The company’s mission is to empower organizations to “hack themselves” proactively, identifying weaknesses in their networks, cloud environments, and applications before attackers do. The $100 million funding round, which also saw participation from existing investors such as Icon Ventures and SignalFire, will enable Horizon3.ai to accelerate product development, expand its market reach, and enhance its AI-driven capabilities.
What Sets NodeZero Apart?
Horizon3.ai’s flagship product, NodeZero, is a cloud-based platform that simulates real-world cyberattacks to uncover vulnerabilities in an organization’s IT environment. Unlike traditional penetration-testing methods that require extensive human involvement, NodeZero leverages artificial intelligence and machine learning to automate the process, delivering faster and more comprehensive results. The platform is designed to mimic the tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) used by advanced cybercriminals, providing organizations with a realistic assessment of their security posture.
NodeZero’s key features include its ability to perform continuous testing, integrate with existing security tools, and provide actionable insights for remediation. This allows businesses to prioritize and address vulnerabilities quickly, reducing the risk of a breach. The platform is particularly valuable for organizations with complex IT environments, such as those using hybrid cloud systems or managing large networks of interconnected devices.
“NodeZero is like having a team of world-class hackers working for you 24/7,” said Snehal Antani, CEO and co-founder of Horizon3.ai, in a recent statement. “Our goal is to make proactive cybersecurity accessible to organizations of all sizes, from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies.” Antani’s background as a former chief technology officer at Splunk and a U.S. Army veteran underscores the company’s commitment to combining military-grade expertise with cutting-edge technology.
Strategic Expansion and Market Impact
The $100 million funding round comes at a pivotal time for Horizon3.ai, as the company looks to capitalize on the growing demand for automated cybersecurity solutions. The investment will support several key initiatives, including expanding the company’s research and development efforts, hiring additional talent, and increasing its presence in global markets. Horizon3.ai also plans to enhance NodeZero’s capabilities to address emerging threats, such as those posed by ransomware and supply chain attacks.
The funding round, led by NEA, a venture capital firm known for backing successful tech companies like Databricks and Salesforce, reflects the growing importance of cybersecurity in today’s digital economy. “Horizon3.ai is redefining how organizations approach cybersecurity,” said Greg Papadopoulos, a partner at NEA. “Their automated penetration-testing platform is a game-changer, enabling businesses to stay one step ahead of cyber threats. We’re excited to support their vision and growth.”
The investment also highlights the increasing role of AI in cybersecurity. As cyber threats become more complex, traditional security measures are often insufficient. AI-driven tools like NodeZero can analyze vast amounts of data, identify patterns, and predict potential vulnerabilities with greater accuracy than manual processes. This capability is particularly critical as organizations adopt new technologies, such as cloud computing and Internet of Things (IoT) devices, which expand their attack surfaces.
Industry Recognition and Customer Success
Since its launch, Horizon3.ai has garnered significant attention in the cybersecurity industry. The company has been recognized for its innovative approach, earning accolades such as the 2024 SC Awards for Best Emerging Technology. Customers across various sectors, including finance, healthcare, and government, have praised NodeZero for its ease of use and effectiveness in identifying critical vulnerabilities.
For example, a major U.S. financial institution recently used NodeZero to uncover a previously undetected vulnerability in its cloud infrastructure. By addressing the issue promptly, the organization avoided a potential data breach that could have cost millions. Such success stories underscore the value of automated penetration testing in today’s threat landscape.
Horizon3.ai’s focus on accessibility also sets it apart from competitors. While many cybersecurity solutions are tailored to large enterprises with dedicated security teams, NodeZero is designed to be user-friendly for organizations with limited resources. This democratization of advanced cybersecurity tools aligns with Horizon3.ai’s mission to make proactive security practices widely available.
The Road Ahead for Horizon3.ai
With the new funding, Horizon3.ai is well-positioned to expand its influence in the cybersecurity market. The company plans to deepen its partnerships with managed security service providers (MSSPs) and system integrators, enabling more organizations to adopt NodeZero as part of their security strategy. Additionally, Horizon3.ai aims to enhance its platform’s integration with popular security tools, such as Splunk and CrowdStrike, to provide a seamless experience for customers.
The funding round also positions Horizon3.ai to compete with established players in the cybersecurity space, such as Rapid7 and Tenable. By focusing on automation and AI, Horizon3.ai is carving out a unique niche in a crowded market. The company’s emphasis on continuous testing and real-time insights aligns with the industry’s shift toward proactive, rather than reactive, cybersecurity strategies.
As cyber threats continue to evolve, the need for innovative solutions like NodeZero will only grow. Horizon3.ai’s ability to deliver scalable, AI-driven penetration testing could make it a cornerstone of modern cybersecurity practices. The company’s rapid growth and strong investor backing suggest that it is well on its way to becoming a leader in the industry.
A Bright Future for Cybersecurity Innovation
Horizon3.ai’s $100 million funding round marks a significant step forward for the company and the broader cybersecurity ecosystem. By leveraging AI and automation, Horizon3.ai is helping organizations stay ahead of cyber threats in an increasingly digital world. The investment from NEA and other partners reflects the confidence in Horizon3.ai’s vision and its potential to reshape how businesses approach cybersecurity.
As the company continues to innovate and expand, it is poised to play a critical role in addressing one of the most pressing challenges of our time: securing the digital infrastructure that powers our economy and society. For organizations looking to strengthen their defenses, Horizon3.ai’s NodeZero offers a powerful tool to identify and mitigate risks before they become costly breaches.
Security Startup Horizon3.ai Raises $100 Million to Bolster Automated Penetration-Testing Platform
Introduction
Horizon3.ai, a U.S.-based cybersecurity startup, has raised $100 million in a funding round led by New Enterprise Associates (NEA). Announced on May 29, 2025, the investment will support the expansion of its automated penetration-testing platform, NodeZero, which helps organizations identify and fix vulnerabilities. This article explores Horizon3.ai’s mission, the significance of the funding, and the impact of its AI-driven platform on the cybersecurity industry. Source
The Growing Cybersecurity Challenge
Cybercrime costs are projected to reach $10.5 trillion annually by 2025, driving demand for advanced security solutions. Traditional penetration testing is slow and costly, but Horizon3.ai’s NodeZero automates the process, enabling continuous testing and faster vulnerability detection. Founded by former U.S. military cyber operators, the company is addressing the need for proactive cybersecurity. Source
NodeZero: A Game-Changing Platform
NodeZero uses AI and machine learning to simulate real-world cyberattacks, identifying weaknesses in networks, cloud systems, and applications. Its continuous testing and integration with tools like Splunk make it a valuable asset for organizations. The platform’s user-friendly design ensures accessibility for businesses of all sizes.
Strategic Growth with $100 Million
The funding will drive product development, global expansion, and talent acquisition. NEA’s investment highlights Horizon3.ai’s potential to lead in AI-driven cybersecurity. The company plans to enhance NodeZero’s capabilities to combat emerging threats like ransomware. Source
Industry Impact and Customer Success
Horizon3.ai has earned recognition, including the 2024 SC Awards for Best Emerging Technology. Customers across finance, healthcare, and government have used NodeZero to prevent breaches. Its focus on accessibility sets it apart in a competitive market.
Looking Ahead
Horizon3.ai aims to deepen partnerships and compete with industry leaders like Rapid7. The funding positions the company to shape the future of cybersecurity through automation and AI, helping organizations stay ahead of evolving threats.
Conclusion
Horizon3.ai’s $100 million funding round underscores its role in advancing cybersecurity. With NodeZero, the company is empowering organizations to proactively secure their digital assets, making it a key player in the fight against cybercrime.
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