The funding round was led by Evolution Equity Partners and included participation from venture capital firm N47 and other investors.
The funding round was led by Evolution Equity Partners and included participation from venture capital firm N47 and other investors. The San Jose-based startup said the new capital will be used to scale operations, expand into new markets, and accelerate research and development around its artificial intelligence cybersecurity platform.
Kai was founded by cybersecurity entrepreneurs Galina Antova and Damiano Bolzoni, both of whom previously built and exited successful security companies. Antova is also the co-founder of Claroty, a major industrial cybersecurity platform, while Bolzoni previously co-founded SecurityMatters, which was acquired by Forescout Technologies in 2018.
Antova said the startup was created to address a rapidly evolving cybersecurity landscape where attackers are increasingly using artificial intelligence to automate and scale attacks. “You need AI to fight AI,” Antova said, noting that traditional security tools often struggle to keep pace with sophisticated, machine-driven threats.
Kai’s approach is to build an AI-native cybersecurity platform from the ground up. Unlike many traditional cybersecurity systems that combine multiple tools acquired over time, the company is designing an integrated platform where AI applications work together seamlessly.
Antova argues that legacy security systems often rely on fragmented dashboards with separate AI tools layered on top, which can slow response times when organizations are under active cyberattack.
Early customers for Kai include companies across sectors such as energy, pharmaceuticals, automotive and hospitality. The startup gained traction in the energy industry through participation in the **Chevron Technology Ventures Catalyst Program, which helps accelerate technologies that could improve operational performance.
Kai’s funding comes amid a broader surge of venture capital flowing into AI cybersecurity startups. According to recruiting firm Pinpoint Search Group, cyber startups globally announced nearly 400 funding rounds in 2025, the highest level since the post-pandemic tech investment boom.
Early-stage companies accounted for more than 60% of total funding activity, reflecting investor belief that the next generation of cybersecurity platforms will be shaped by AI-native startups rather than incumbent vendors.
For investors, the strategy is clear: back a wide array of emerging security startups experimenting with new AI-driven approaches in hopes that a handful will ultimately define the future architecture of cybersecurity.
As cyber threats grow more automated and sophisticated, startups like Kai are betting that the only way to defend modern networks is with equally powerful AI systems operating on the other side.
Sara Montes de Oca is the Editor in Chief of TechEchelon. Previously a correspondent and producer in Washington, D.C., covering business, finance, and politics.
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