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- Israeli Cyber Startup Upwind Reaches $1.5 Billion Valuation
Israeli Cyber Startup Upwind Reaches $1.5 Billion Valuation
Cloud security company joins unicorn club with $250 million funding as global demand soars.
Israel has added another name to its elite circle of tech unicorns. Tel Aviv-based Upwind, a cloud security startup founded just four years ago, has officially hit a $1.5 billion valuation following a massive $250 million Series B investment round.
Upwind’s innovative platform uses artificial intelligence to secure live cloud environments in real time a critical capability as global enterprises shift rapidly to the cloud. The company reports an astonishing 900% growth in revenue, with major international clients including Siemens, Peloton, Roku, and NuBank relying on its technology to safeguard their operations.
The recent funding round was spearheaded by Bessemer Venture Partners and Picture Capital, a firm backed by the founders of Island and Transmit Security. It brings Upwind’s total funding to a remarkable $430 million, drawing participation from a broad roster of high-profile investors such as Craft Ventures, TCV, Alta Park Capital, Greylock, Cyberstarts, and even NBA superstar Stephen Curry’s Penny Jar fund.
Upwind’s meteoric rise underscores the strength of Israel’s tech ecosystem. Founded in 2022 by CEO Amiram Shachar and a team of veterans from Spot.io Liran Polak, Lavi Ferdman, and Tal Zuri the company last raised $100 million in late 2024. At the time, its valuation was estimated at up to $900 million. Now, just over a year later, the leap to $1.5 billion signals both market confidence and Upwind’s strategic edge.
Reports last year suggested the startup was in acquisition talks with U.S. software firm Datadog for around $1 billion, but Upwind has instead opted to continue scaling independently.
This latest success story reinforces Israel’s position as a global powerhouse in cybersecurity innovation. Startups like Upwind not only drive technological breakthroughs but also represent the vibrant entrepreneurial spirit that defines the modern State of Israel.
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