Twenty, a cyber warfare startup, has raised $100 million in Series B funding at a $1 billion valuation, according to Axios. The round was led by Accel, with the company's CEO confirming the details exclusively to the outlet. Twenty develops AI-powered tools designed to help US military hackers penetrate adversary computer networks.
The funding underscores growing investor appetite for defense technology, particularly in offensive cyber capabilities. Unlike many startups that shy away from such work, Twenty has been unabashed in its pursuit and marketing of offensive cyber tools, making its business model both notable and controversial.
The $100 million round marks a significant step up from Twenty's earlier financing. Axios reported the valuation as $1 billion, though no further financial details were provided in the source. The company did not disclose revenue or customer metrics.
This investment signals that venture capital is increasingly flowing into defense and national security startups, even those operating in sensitive areas like active cyber offense. Twenty's technology could influence how the US military conducts cyber operations, though it may also attract scrutiny from privacy and ethics advocates.
The company's explicit focus on offensive tools, rather than defensive cybersecurity, sets a rare precedent in the startup ecosystem. As the US military expands its cyber capabilities, Twenty's valuation reflects both opportunity and the high risks associated with this niche.