With $100M in ARR, Guardio Secures $80M to Tackle AI-Driven Threats
Cybersecurity startup Guardio has secured $80 million in new funding, a move that comes at a critical moment for the internet. As AI-powered “vibe coding” tools make it easier than ever to build websites and apps, they’re also making it easier for malicious actors to create convincing scam and phishing operations. Guardio sees this as an opportunity—and a growing responsibility.
Founded in 2018, the company originally built browser extensions that warned users about harmful sites and data leaks. Over time, it expanded into phishing protection, mobile security, identity management, and tools that filter out spam and scams. Today, Guardio says it has 500,000 paying customers and has reached $100 million in annual recurring revenue . Now, with the rise of AI-generated code, it’s aiming even higher: creating tools that scan websites and codebases for signs they were built using AI, and spotting any hidden risks.
This new direction has already drawn industry interest. Earlier this month, website-building platform Lovable partnered with Guardio to scan every site made on its service after reports revealed serious vulnerabilities. According to CTO and founder Michael VainshteinDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, many companies are rushing to innovate, but not enough are thinking about security. Guardio wants to fill that gap.
The latest funding round—led by ION Crossover PartnersDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → with support from existing investors—will help the company expand its products and bring new visibility features to users. These include alerts about sensitive documents shared online, accounts without multi-factor authentication, and potential risks connected to services like Outlook and Facebook. Guardio says some of these features will soon be available even on its free plan.
ION’s founder, Gilad ShanyDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, said the firm had been watching Guardio for years, calling it a rare company that blends “best-in-class cyber innovation” with strong consumer business instincts. Guardio didn’t disclose its new valuation but said it has tripled since its last funding round in 2021—though it still doesn’t consider itself a unicorn.
As the internet becomes increasingly shaped by AI, Guardio is betting that consumers will need the same kind of protection tools once reserved for big enterprises. In the company’s view, every user now manages dozens of services—so in a way, each person is “an enterprise of one.”
Sources:
TechCrunch
CTech
A.M.
