Last Updated: 5 February 2025
Riot, a cybersecurity startup specializing in employee protection, has raised $30 million in Series B funding to expand its AI-driven security solutions and accelerate global growth. The investment round was led by Left Lane Capital, with continued backing from Y Combinator, Base10, and FundersClub. This latest funding brings Riot’s total raised capital to $45 million, positioning it as a key player in the cybersecurity space.
While Riot has not publicly disclosed its exact valuation, industry insiders estimate it to be around $170 million following this latest funding round. The company’s rapid growth, combined with increasing demand for employee-centric security solutions, suggests a strong market position.
Cybercriminals are leveraging artificial intelligence to launch more targeted and convincing attacks. The accessibility of AI-driven phishing tools has led to a 1,265% increase in phishing scams over two years, posing a severe risk to businesses. Even well-prepared organizations struggle to keep up as traditional cybersecurity training fails to address evolving attack methods.
Riot’s approach stands out by combining real-time monitoring with proactive defenses. Rather than relying solely on employee awareness, the platform automates security measures, identifying and neutralizing threats before they can cause damage. This shift is essential in an era where AI has made cyberattacks more sophisticated, frequent, and scalable.
“Hackers are leveraging the latest innovations in artificial intelligence to create extremely targeted and sophisticated attacks capable of deceiving the most vigilant employees. We’re in a race against time to develop tools that will protect businesses from these new threats. Our goal with Riot is to protect more than ten million employees by 2027.”
Benjamin Netter, Founder and CEO of Riot
With fresh capital in hand, Riot is set to expand its global footprint and refine its cybersecurity solutions. The company plans to open two new international offices to better serve its growing customer base. Additionally, Riot aims to double its workforce over the next 12 months, bringing in top-tier talent to drive innovation and product development.
One of Riot’s primary goals is to enhance its security offerings, including its phishing simulation tool and AI-driven cybersecurity training.
The platform will soon introduce an aggregated security dashboard, offering centralized visibility into employee vulnerabilities and automated recommendations to improve security posture.
These advancements will make it easier for businesses to stay ahead of emerging threats and minimize human error.
Founded in 2020 by Benjamin Netter and Louis Cibot, Riot emerged from Y Combinator as the first real-time employee cybersecurity monitoring platform. The company has since grown rapidly, now protecting over 1,500 organizations and one million employees worldwide.
What sets Riot apart is its focus on usability and engagement. Traditional cybersecurity training often feels like a chore, leading to low participation rates. Riot addresses this by integrating AI-powered coaching, interactive security prompts, and real-time guidance into tools employees already use—Slack, Microsoft Teams, Google Chat, and email. This ensures security best practices become second nature rather than an afterthought.
