Security Startup Torq Raises Cash at $1.2 Billion Valuation

By Admin

12 Jan, 2026

A Major Funding Milestone
Israeli cybersecurity startup Torq is set to announce the closure of a $140 million funding round, taking its valuation to an impressive $1.2 billion. With this round, Torq officially joins the unicorn club, highlighting strong investor confidence in AI-driven security operations.

The Israeli business outlet TheMarker had earlier reported that Torq had reached unicorn status, though the exact funding figures were not disclosed at the time.

What Torq Does
Based in Tel Aviv, Torq provides an autonomous security operations platform built from the ground up using artificial intelligence. The platform focuses on automating repetitive and time-consuming security tasks, such as analyzing massive volumes of security alerts.

By deploying AI agents to handle routine workflows, Torq enables security teams to concentrate on complex, high-risk threats that require human judgment. This approach reduces alert fatigue and operational backlogs across enterprise security operations.

Founder’s Vision Behind Automation
According to Ofer Smadari, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder, automation is critical to modern cybersecurity teams. He explains that organizations should not exhaust skilled professionals on basic tasks when AI can handle them efficiently. Torq’s vision is to automate and remediate security operations end-to-end, allowing teams to work smarter and faster.

Shift Toward Generative AI
Founded in 2020, Torq initially followed a different product direction. The company’s strategy evolved significantly after the emergence of generative AI. Smadari noted that by the end of 2022, the arrival of ChatGPT revealed a clear opportunity to build advanced AI agents for security operations.

In the summer of 2023, Torq introduced its first AI agent for security teams. Since then, the platform has expanded its automation capabilities, enabling organizations to automate and remediate a wide range of security processes.

Investors Backing the Growth
The latest funding round is led by Merlin Ventures, with participation from several well-known existing investors. These include Evolution Equity Partners, Notable Capital, Bessemer Venture Partners, Insight Venture Partners, and Greenfield Partners.

Experienced Founding Team
Torq employs more than 300 people across Israel and the United States. The founding team brings prior startup success, having previously launched Luminate Security in 2017. That company was acquired by Symantec Corp. for $250 million less than two years after its founding.

Torq itself was launched in January 2020, just before the Covid-19 pandemic spread globally. Reflecting on that timing, Smadari remarked that major global crises often create the conditions for building impactful companies.

Looking Ahead
With fresh capital, a strong leadership team, and a platform deeply rooted in AI-driven automation, Torq is positioned to play a significant role in the future of security operations. As cyber threats grow in volume and complexity, autonomous security platforms like Torq’s are increasingly becoming essential for enterprises worldwide.