What happened
Italian startup Exein raised $270 million in a funding round led by Headline, achieving a $1.7 billion valuation. The company is pivoting its cybersecurity focus from general IoT to physical AI, offering runtime security for AI-powered robots, drones, and edge devices. Exein claims to have secured over two billion connected devices across critical sectors and is training a foundational model for physical AI security, expected in Q1 2027.
Exein, a Rome-based startup founded in 2018, has closed a $270 million funding round led by Headline, valuing the company at $1.7 billion. This marks a significant increase from its Series B valuation two years prior and more than doubles its valuation from December 2025. The company describes itself as a cybersecurity layer for physical AI, evolving from its initial focus on IoT security.
The company's core product, Photon, is a runtime security solution designed to prevent attacks at the kernel level of devices. Exein works directly with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and silicon vendors to embed this security. According to CEO Gianni Cuozzo, this approach ensures that every device can defend itself regardless of network connectivity. Exein claims to have secured more than two billion connected devices in sectors such as aerospace, industrial automation, automotive, energy, healthcare, and semiconductors.
Exein is positioning itself to capitalize on the rise of physical AI, which includes AI-powered robots, drones, self-driving cars, and sensors running models on the edge. The company notes that AI has also boosted attackers' capabilities, particularly through open-source models that can run without guardrails, making it easier to target physical devices. In response, Exein is training a foundational model for physical AI security using machine data and telemetrics, with a planned release in the first quarter of 2027.
The fresh funding will be used for mergers and acquisitions to complete its product portfolio and to hire staff to accelerate expansion in the U.S. and Asia Pacific, which currently drives half of its revenue. Cuozzo stated that the company is growing 400% year on year, though he acknowledged that maintaining such growth rates is challenging. The company's presence across three continents has been a primary operational challenge.
Source details: techcrunch.com ↗
Why it matters
This funding highlights the emerging intersection of cybersecurity and physical AI, where autonomous devices require robust, on-device defense mechanisms. As AI models run on the edge in critical infrastructure, the risk of 'machine-speed attacks' increases. Exein's approach of embedding security at the kernel level addresses a gap in traditional network-centric security, potentially setting a standard for securing the next generation of autonomous hardware.
The shift of cybersecurity focus to physical AI is critical as autonomous devices become more prevalent in critical infrastructure. Traditional network security is insufficient for edge devices that must operate independently. Exein's kernel-level approach offers a potential solution for securing these devices against sophisticated, machine-speed attacks.
The $1.7 billion valuation signals strong investor confidence in the physical AI security market. This funding round is part of a broader trend of investment in securing the physical manifestations of AI, moving beyond software-only security models. The oversubscribed nature of the round indicates high demand for solutions in this niche.
The EU Cyber Resilience Act, which began reporting obligations recently and will come into full force in December 2027, may further drive adoption of Exein's solutions. The Act requires manufacturers to ensure digital products are safe from cyber threats, creating a regulatory tailwind for companies providing embedded security solutions.
What to watch next
Monitor the development and release of Exein's foundational model for physical AI security in Q1 2027. Watch for the impact of the EU Cyber Resilience Act on Exein's growth and adoption rates. Observe whether Exein's claimed 400% year-on-year growth is sustainable as it expands in the U.S. and Asia Pacific.
The development and performance of Exein's foundational model for physical AI security, scheduled for Q1 2027. This model will be a key differentiator for the company in the emerging physical AI security market.
Exein's expansion efforts in the U.S. and Asia Pacific. The company aims to use its new funding to accelerate growth in these regions, which are currently significant contributors to its revenue.
The impact of the EU Cyber Resilience Act on Exein's business. The Act's requirements for manufacturers to secure digital products could increase demand for Exein's embedded security solutions.
Sustainability of Exein's 400% year-on-year growth. While impressive, such high growth rates are difficult to maintain, and investors will be watching for signs of deceleration or operational challenges.