Astra Security, a leading innovator in the cybersecurity domain, has secured USD 2.7 million (~ INR 23.5 crore) in a growth capital round spearheaded by Emergent Ventures. Additional participants include Neon Fund, Better Capital, Blume Ventures, and PointOne Capital. The infusion of capital is strategically earmarked for product expansion, refinement of AI-driven security capabilities, and furthering the company’s U.S. market penetration. Will be
Funding and Strategic Allocation
This latest investment follows Astra Security’s USD 1,20,000 seed funding from the Techstars Accelerator in 2018. The raised capital will facilitate the evolution of its AI-powered security architecture, bolster cloud vulnerability assessments, and provide developers with enhanced tools for robust security engineering.
CEO Shikhil Sharma underscored the imperative transition from conventional, episodic penetration testing to a continuous security paradigm, necessitated by the proliferation of AI-driven cyber threats. Astra Security’s solutions are designed to deliver proactive threat detection and rapid mitigation in real time.
Company Overview
Established in 2018 by Shikhil Sharma and Ananda Krishna, Astra Security has positioned itself at the forefront of AI-augmented cybersecurity. The firm caters to sectors such as BFSI, fintech, healthcare, and enterprise IT. Its flagship innovation, the Pentest Platform, leverages an AI-powered offensive security engine that emulates adversarial behavior, conducting over 10,000 security tests per application. This ensures rigorous vulnerability detection and timely remediation.
In 2024, Astra Security identified an average of 5,500 vulnerabilities per day across its client base, a figure projected to triple by the conclusion of 2025. Cumulatively, the company has detected over two million vulnerabilities, averting an estimated USD 69 million (INR 601 crore) in potential cyber-related damages.
Read Also: Motilal Oswal Allocates INR 50 Crore in Structured Debt Financing to Auxilo Finserve
Growth Plans and AI Focus
Astra Security remains committed to advancing its security scanning technologies, with a core emphasis on real-time, AI-driven penetration testing. A critical development in this trajectory is OrbitX, an upcoming solution designed to automate both manual and AI-enhanced security assessments.
Parallelly, Astra Security is amplifying its U.S. presence, with recruitment initiatives aimed at scaling business operations. Presently, 45% of its clientele is U.S.-based, encompassing industry leaders such as Loom, ITC, OLX Autos, Mamaearth, Muthoot Finance, the University of Cambridge, and Prime Healthcare. The company’s cybersecurity solutions are actively deployed by over 800 engineering teams across 70+ countries.
Industry Competition and Market Trends
Astra Security operates within an intensely competitive cybersecurity landscape, contending with global firms such as Pentera, Traceable AI, and Horizon3.ai. Within India, its primary rival is TAC Security, which is aggressively pursuing international expansion. The cybersecurity sector has witnessed a marked surge in demand, particularly as India ranked as the second most targeted country for cyberattacks in 2024. A CloudSEK report documented 95 significant data breaches affecting Indian organizations in the past year.
Also Read: Bengaluru-Based LegUp Secures Funding from Bluebridge Capital to Drive Expansion and Innovation
Cybersecurity Outlook
The escalation of cyber threats necessitates a paradigm shift toward AI-augmented security solutions. Astra Security’s strategic trajectory aligns with the industry’s overarching move toward automation, continuous penetration testing, and real-time threat intelligence.
With this latest funding round, Astra Security is poised to accelerate its cybersecurity innovation, equipping enterprises with advanced defense mechanisms against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.