As cyber threats grow more sophisticated with the rise of generative AI, employee-targeted attacks have become a major security risk for organizations. In response, Riot, a cybersecurity platform focused on protecting employees from digital threats, announced today a $30 million Series B funding round led by New York-based venture capital firm Left Lane Capital. This investment, which brings Riot’s total capital raised to $45 million, includes participation from existing investors Y Combinator, Base10, and FundersClub. The new funding will accelerate Riot’s product development and global expansion, reinforcing its position as a leader in employee-focused cybersecurity solutions.
The increasing use of AI in cybercrime has dramatically elevated the scale and sophistication of attacks. Phishing incidents, for instance, have surged by an astonishing 1,265% over the past two years, driven by AI-powered malicious campaigns that generate hyper-personalized attacks. “Hackers are leveraging the latest innovations in artificial intelligence to create extremely targeted and sophisticated attacks capable of deceiving the most vigilant employees,” said Riot’s Founder and CEO, Benjamin Netter. “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.”
Unlike traditional cybersecurity awareness programs that rely on static training modules, Riot’s platform actively monitors employees’ security posture in real-time. By integrating directly into an organization’s IT infrastructure, Riot identifies vulnerabilities—such as weak authentication practices—and provides immediate guidance to resolve them. A key part of this strategy is its AI-driven cyber companion, Albert, which delivers real-time, actionable security recommendations through corporate messaging tools like Slack and Microsoft Teams. This dynamic approach ensures that employees are continuously informed and protected against evolving threats, rather than relying solely on periodic training sessions.
Matthew Miller, Partner at Left Lane Capital, emphasized the urgency of Riot’s mission. “As AI technology continues to mature, phishing attacks will become more sophisticated, personalized, and harder to detect. Empowering your team with the right tools and knowledge is the best defense against these evolving threats. Riot’s innovative approach focuses on employees as the first line of defense against cyberattacks. The cost of a data breach or cyberattack has significant financial and reputational implications for companies, making these training and prevention tools a necessity now more than ever.”
Since its founding in 2020, Riot has rapidly expanded to protect over 1,500 organizations, including high-profile clients such as Mistral AI, Y Combinator, Modern Treasury, L’Occitane, Deel, Intercom, and Le Monde. The company has also achieved over $10 million in annual revenue in 2024, marking another year of significant triple-digit growth. With the newly secured funding, Riot plans to extend its global reach by opening two new offices and doubling its workforce within the next year. As cyber threats continue to evolve, Riot’s proactive security approach is set to play a crucial role in safeguarding businesses and their employees from AI-driven cyberattacks.
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