Outtake Secures $40 Million to Fortify Digital Defenses with AI Agents
Cybersecurity startup Outtake has announced a significant $40 million funding round, signaling strong investor confidence in its approach to combating evolving cyberthreats. The company, which leverages autonomous artificial intelligence agents for threat detection and mitigation, saw participation from a notable roster of investors, including Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Palantir CEO Alex Karp.
Founded in 2023 by Alex Dhillon, a former Palantir executive with deep expertise in AI platforms, Outtake aims to build a “trust layer for the Internet.” The startup’s core technology focuses on utilizing AI agents to identify and neutralize threats such as phishing attempts and other malicious activities, with applications including advanced email verification systems.
“We are moving toward a future of constant security,” Dhillon stated in an interview. “Solutions powered by agent technology, like Outtake, are essential for defending our digital perimeters.”
The recent funding round was spearheaded by venture capital firm Iconiq, with contributions from CRV, S32, and a host of angel investors. These include Satya Nadella, Nikesh Arora (CEO of Palo Alto Networks), Trae Stephens (co-founder of Anduril), and Bill Ackman. Shyam Sankar, Palantir’s chief technology officer, also participated as an angel investor and contributed to this latest funding round.
While Outtake has not disclosed its valuation, the 35-person company reported a substantial sixfold increase in annual recurring revenue year-over-year. Last year, its systems reportedly scanned over 20 million potential cyberattacks, and the company experienced a more than tenfold growth in enterprise customers.
Dhillon highlighted that the increasing sophistication and speed of cyberthreats are largely driven by advancements in AI. Outtake’s mission is to provide a robust defense against these evolving dangers, a mission that resonates with the current landscape of escalating cyber warfare.
Murali Joshi, a general partner at Iconiq and new Outtake board member, cited the company’s impressive growth trajectory, positive customer feedback, and the vast market opportunity as key factors driving Iconiq’s investment. “From a product standpoint, what they have developed is fundamentally distinct from anything else available in the market,” Joshi commented.
Outtake’s technology is currently employed by a diverse clientele, including AppLovin, various federal agencies, high-end retail brands, and leading AI research labs. Dhillon indicated that a portion of the newly acquired capital will be allocated to expanding Outtake’s go-to-market teams, with a particular focus on engineering and product development.
“We require intelligent agents on guard, as we face constant attacks,” Dhillon emphasized. “This dynamic is both exhilarating and concerning for our sector, and therein lies the opportunity.”
Prior to this Series B round, Outtake had secured $16.5 million in a Series A funding round led by CRV in April, following an initial seed round of $3.5 million. The company’s consistent ability to attract significant investment underscores the growing demand for advanced, AI-driven cybersecurity solutions in an increasingly interconnected and threat-laden digital world.
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