Israeli cybersecurity startup Torq has dramatically elevated its position on the global tech stage after securing $140 million in its latest Series D funding round, propelling the company into the coveted unicorn club with a valuation of $1.2 billion. The announcement widely covered by global media marks a landmark milestone for the firm, which is at the forefront of applying advanced artificial intelligence to security operations.
Merlin Ventures, a U.S. venture capital firm with extensive experience in government markets and cybersecurity, led the funding round. Evolution Equity Partners, Notable Capital, Bessemer Venture Partners, Insight Partners, and Greenfield Partners were among the many current backers who took part. After a year of exceptional growth fueled by high demand for its AI-driven Security Operations Center (SOC) platform, which automates many of the complex and repetitive tasks that typically consume security teams, Torq achieved unicorn status, a term used to describe private companies valued at over $1 billion.
Funding Milestone and Strategic Vision:
Torq has raised $332 million since its founding in 2020 thanks to the recently disclosed $140 million capital infusion. According to the firm, the additional funding will be used to improve its AI agent capabilities to further automate security workflows, extend go-to-market activities, especially in the U.S. federal and commercial sectors, and accelerate market acceptance of its cybersecurity technology.
Founded by industry veterans Ofer Smadari, Leonid Belkind and Eldad Livni, Torq has positioned itself as a pioneer in the emerging field of agentic AI for cybersecurity. Unlike traditional security operations tools that require heavy manual intervention, Torq’s platform uses intelligent AI agents to autonomously investigate security alerts, triage threats and trigger appropriate responses, enabling security teams to focus on high-impact strategic issues.
“Our mission is to redefine security operations,” said CEO and co-founder Ofer Smadari in a statement on the funding. He explained that Torq is pushing beyond the limits of legacy security solutions to deliver a fully autonomous SOC platform capable of handling millions of security tasks with minimal human oversight.
Security leaders cited in industry reports noted that Torq’s AI agents are now embedded in the daily operations of many large enterprises, handling alert triage and incident response workflows that once required entire teams of analysts. These autonomous agents are already in use at several Fortune 500 companies, including household names such as Marriott, PepsiCo, Procter & Gamble, Siemens, Uber and Virgin Atlantic, demonstrating the platform’s global appeal and operational maturity.
Rapid Growth and Market Adoption:
Torq’s rise to a $1.2 billion valuation reflects both rstrong revenue growth and strong customer adoption. In 2025, the company reported triple-digit growth, as enterprises increasingly turned to AI-based tools to tackle the growing volume and sophistication of cybersecurity threats. The platform’s ability to automate low-level security tasks has become a major selling point, freeing human analysts from repetitive work and vastly improving operational efficiency.
Industry experts highlight Torq’s technology’s capacity to provide hyperautomation, alert triage, and fatigue reduction as crucial differentiators. Both businesses and governmental organizations looking to update their SOC operations have found success with the company’s technology, which enables organizations to handle security events at scale without a corresponding increase in staff.This strategic importance in supporting Torq’s expansion was emphasized by Merlin Ventures’ leadership. The investment shows faith in Torq’s ability to grow into government-regulated areas, where sophisticated security technologies are vital to safeguard sensitive data and infrastructure, according to the fund’s managing partner.
Strengthening the Cybersecurity Landscape:
Torq’s entry into the unicorn club comes with a period of intense investor interest in the cybersecurity industry, especially in Israel. Large funding rounds and high valuations have drawn attention to other companies in the area, which is indicative of a wider need for AI-driven security solutions worldwide.
Israel, often dubbed the “startup nation,” has long been a hotbed for cybersecurity innovation, and Torq’s success further strengthens this reputation. The company’s journey from a seed-stage startup to a unicorn in just six years underscores the rapid evolution of cybersecurity technology, particularly with the integration of artificial intelligence and automated operations. Experts believe Torq’s progress will have ripple effects across the industry, motivating competitors to innovate and driving higher expectations for autonomous security platforms. Organizations are increasingly seeking tools that can detect, investigate and remediate threats at machine speed, something traditional tools and human teams often struggle to deliver.
Future Prospects and Expansion Plans:
Torq has made it clear that it wants to expand internationally, especially in the U.S. market, where demand for advanced technologies is high and cybersecurity investment is still significant. The company’s goal to address some of the most difficult cybersecurity issues encountered by governmental organizations and critical infrastructure operators is reflected in its concentration on federal and public sector markets.
Torq also plans to continue enhancing the capabilities of its AI agents, introducing more advanced automation features that could further reduce reliance on manual security workflows. Industry observers anticipate that these developments could position Torq as a leading force in a market segment now emerging as a core element of modern enterprise defense strategies. Torq’s $140 million funding round and $1.2 billion valuation mark a pivotal moment in its evolution, underscoring strong investor confidence and the growing importance of AI-driven cybersecurity solutions in a threat landscape that continues to grow in complexity and scale.
