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AI Security Startups Lead IT-Harvest Cyber 150 Awards 2026 Cohort
IT-Harvest announced its 2026 Cyber 150 awards, highlighting the rapid growth of cybersecurity companies. AI security startups show significant representation among the honorees. These annual AI security awards recognize the fastest-growing firms in the industry. The program aims to identify the next leaders in cybersecurity, as stated by IT-Harvest.
What Happened
IT-Harvest unveiled the second cohort of its Cyber 150 awards. Twenty-two percent of the recognized companies offer AI security products. Richard Stiennon publicly shared the new cohort on March 9. His Substack blog, “The Security Industry,” detailed the 2026 cyber awards recipients. Thirty-three companies in the 2026 group specialize in AI security.
Details From Sources
AI Security Leaders
Several 2025 awardees returned to the list. These include Blink Ops, Doppel, Oasis Security, Protexxa, and Torq. New AI security entrants demonstrate strong financial backing and team expansion. 7AI raised $202 million and employs 76 people. Adaptive Security secured $136 million in 2025, reaching 187 headcount. Noma Security raised $132 million, with $100 million in 2025, and has 105 employees.
US-based Tenex.ai emerged as the top growing startup in the 2026 cohort. It recorded an impressive 318% growth over the past year. Tenex.ai provides next-generation managed detection and response (MDR). MDR combines AI with human expertise to address enterprise security threats.
Other Categories and Growth
Other cybersecurity categories were also well-represented in the 2026 cohort. Governance, risk and compliance (GRC) included 24 companies. Security operations featured 15 companies, while application security had 13. Data security also recognized 13 companies. The 2026 list saw a significant influx of new companies, with 103 new entrants among the 150. Forty-seven companies from the 2025 cohort remained. They maintained positive growth but did not exceed 500 employees. Eight companies from the 2025 list “graduated” by surpassing 500 employees. These include Chainguard, Coralogix, Cyera, Group-IB, miniOrange, Persona, Silverfort, and Tines.
Geographical Distribution
The 2026 winners spanned 19 countries globally. Regional dominance was evident in the nominations. The US accounted for 89 nominees. Israel had 27, and the EU contributed 16. Non-US Five Eyes countries totaled 14, including Canada, Australia, and the UK.
Top Funding
Upwind, a US-based security operations startup, raised the most overall funding at $430 million. Exein, an Italian internet-of-things (IoT) security firm, secured the most funding in 2025 alone. IoT security protects devices connected to the internet. Exein raised $189.94 million in 2025.
Why This Matters
The Cyber 150 program serves a crucial role in identifying future industry leaders. Richard Stiennon stated that the Cyber 150 can help “identify the companies that are emerging as the next leaders of cybersecurity.” This recognition reflects the increasing importance of digital defense. The awards highlight key players driving cybersecurity innovation. They particularly emphasize advancements in AI in cyber defense.
Background Context
IT-Harvest is a US-based cybersecurity industry analyst firm. The Cyber 150 is IT-Harvest’s annual list. It recognizes the fastest-growing mid-size cybersecurity companies worldwide. This award was introduced in January 2025. Its purpose is to honor emerging security vendors. These vendors scale rapidly and shape next-generation cybersecurity technology. The selection criteria for the IT-Harvest Cyber 150 include companies with 50 to 500 staff. Vendors are chosen based on total funding, 2025 growth, and market traction. IT-Harvest uses its own data and open-access information, such as LinkedIn, for selection.
Industry Reactions
Richard Stiennon, founder and chief research analyst of IT-Harvest, commented on the significance of the awards. Stiennon said, “The Cyber 150 can help identify the companies that are emerging as the next leaders of cybersecurity.” This statement underscores the program’s role in forecasting industry shifts.
Related Data or Statistics
- IT-Harvest research indicates the global cybersecurity industry now includes 4000 vendors and 11000 security products.
- Twenty-two percent of 2026 Cyber 150 winners offer AI security products, totaling 33 companies.
- Tenex.ai recorded 318% growth over the past year.
- The 2026 cohort includes 103 new entrants, with 47 companies returning from 2025.
- Geographical distribution of nominees shows US (89), Israel (27), EU (16), and non-US Five Eyes (14).
Future Implications (SPECULATIVE)
Based on Stiennon’s statement, the continued growth of companies on the Cyber 150 list may indicate future shifts in the cybersecurity landscape. This is especially true for those in AI security, which suggests potential leaders. The prevalence of AI security companies further implies an evolving focus in digital defense strategies.
Conclusion
The IT-Harvest Cyber 150 awards remain significant for recognizing innovation and growth in cybersecurity. The 2026 cohort demonstrates a strong performance by AI security awards recipients and startups. These identified companies are poised to shape the future of cybersecurity innovation. They will drive advancements in digital defense.
FAQ
What are the IT-Harvest Cyber 150 awards?
The IT-Harvest Cyber 150 is an annual list. It recognizes the fastest-growing mid-size cybersecurity companies worldwide.
How many AI security companies were recognized in the 2026 cohort?
Thirty-three companies in the 2026 cohort offer AI security products, representing 22% of the winners.
Which company was named the top growing startup in the 2026 Cyber 150 cohort?
US-based Tenex.ai was named the top growing startup. It recorded 318% growth over the past year.
How are companies selected for the Cyber 150 list?
Companies are selected based on total funding, 2025 growth, and market traction. They must have between 50 and 500 staff.
What did Richard Stiennon say about the purpose of the Cyber 150 awards?
Richard Stiennon stated that the Cyber 150 can help “identify the companies that are emerging as the next leaders of cybersecurity.”
