Full Breakdown
Torq Achieves Unicorn Status with $140 Million Funding Round
1/23/2026, 8:19:15 PM
Major Funding Milestone for Torq
Torq, a cybersecurity startup specializing in autonomous artificial intelligence for security operations, has recently achieved unicorn status following a $140 million Series D funding round. This funding round, which valued the company at $1.2 billion, was reported by Israeli news site Calcalist and included participation from notable investors such as Insight Partners, Bessemer Venture Partners, Greenfield Partners, Evolution Equity Partners, Notable Capital, and JPMorgan Private Bank.
Company Overview and Growth
Founded in 2020 by Ofer Smadari (CEO), Leonid Belkind (CTO), and Eldad Livni (CINO), Torq has rapidly expanded its operations, employing over 350 people across offices in New York, Tel Aviv, Amsterdam, London, Japan, and Germany. The company has reported approximately 300% revenue growth in 2025, primarily driven by large enterprises adopting its AI-driven platform for security management. Notable clients include Marriott, PepsiCo, Procter & Gamble, Siemens, Uber, and Virgin Atlantic.
Strategic Objectives and Future Plans
The recent funding is intended to facilitate the hiring of up to 200 new employees and to support Torq's expansion into the public sector. CEO Ofer Smadari emphasized that this funding will accelerate the company's mission to lead the AI Security Operations Center (SOC) market, stating, “We are moving far beyond the constraints of legacy SOAR and SIEM, harnessing the Agentic AI Era to deliver outcomes our customers rely on.”
Industry Impact and Innovations
Shay Michel, managing partner at Merlin Ventures, highlighted the innovative approach of Torq, stating, “They’ve fused automation and human judgment into a new AI SOC Platform built for asymmetric threats and real-world scale.” This reflects the growing trend in the cybersecurity industry towards integrating AI technologies to enhance security operations.
Criticism & Opposition
While Torq's rapid growth and funding success have been celebrated, some industry experts express concerns regarding the reliance on AI in cybersecurity. Critics argue that while AI can enhance efficiency, it may also introduce new vulnerabilities if not managed properly. The balance between automation and human oversight remains a contentious topic within the cybersecurity community.
Official Statements & Responses
In response to the funding round, Smadari remarked on the significance of the partnership with Merlin Ventures, indicating it as a signal of readiness to scale into high-stakes federal and public sector markets. He noted the importance of this investment in solidifying Torq's position in the competitive cybersecurity landscape.
Verbatim Quotes
- “This funding accelerates our mission to define and dominate the AI SOC (Security Operations Center) market.” — Ofer Smadari, CEO of Torq
- “Torq is redefining security operations,” — Shay Michel, Managing Partner at Merlin Ventures
What's Next
As Torq prepares for its expansion into the public sector, the company is expected to leverage its recent funding to enhance its product offerings and further establish its presence in the cybersecurity market. The upcoming months will be critical as Torq navigates this transition and addresses the challenges posed by critics regarding AI's role in security operations.
