Hadrian raises $40M for AI-powered offensive security platform

Amsterdam-based Hadrian has raised $40 million to expand its AI-powered offensive security platform in Europe and the U.S. The round was co-led by Forgepoint Capital International and Smartfin, with participation from existing investors.

The funding arrives as enterprises grapple with securing AI agents—autonomous systems that operate inside corporate networks. Hadrian’s approach uses AI to simulate attacks, identifying vulnerabilities before malicious actors exploit them. Unlike defensive tools that monitor for breaches, offensive security platforms proactively test defenses, a niche that has drawn increasing attention from investors. Earlier this month, Rein Security raised $25 million to secure enterprise AI agents, while Rig Security emerged from stealth with $12 million to monitor AI agents posing as users.

Hadrian’s focus on offensive security sets it apart in a crowded market. Most AI security startups emphasize detection or governance, but offensive tools like Hadrian’s are designed to outpace attackers by adopting their tactics. The company’s expansion into the U.S. suggests it sees opportunity beyond Europe, where AI security adoption has lagged behind.

The round follows a year of record funding for AI agent security, including Island’s $400 million raise in September. While Island and others focus on securing AI agents within browsers or networks, Hadrian’s platform appears broader, targeting the infrastructure that underpins those agents. Whether offensive AI security can scale beyond early adopters remains an open question, but the funding suggests investors are betting on it.

Sources: thenextweb.com