IT-Harvest Unveils Second Cohort of Cyber 150 Awards, Highlighting AI Security Innovations
In an announcement that reverberated through the cybersecurity landscape, the US-based cybersecurity analysis firm IT-Harvest has unveiled the second cohort of its prestigious Cyber 150 awards. This acknowledgment highlights the achievements of mid-sized cybersecurity firms, with 22% of the winners focusing on artificial intelligence (AI) security solutions.
Celebrating the Cyber 150
The Cyber 150 list is a highly anticipated annual compilation showcasing the fastest-growing mid-sized cybersecurity companies around the globe. First introduced in January 2025, this award aims to recognize emerging security vendors that are not only expanding swiftly but also playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of cybersecurity technologies.
IT-Harvest, leveraging its vast database and publicly available information (including LinkedIn data), meticulously selected the top 150 cybersecurity companies that employ between 50 and 500 staff members. The criteria for selection included a thorough analysis of various metrics, such as total funding amounts, growth rates from the previous year, and market traction.
A recent study conducted by IT-Harvest revealed a staggering shift in the cybersecurity landscape, noting that there are now approximately 4,000 vendors and 11,000 distinct security products available worldwide. This surge illustrates the increasing significance of digital defense mechanisms across all sectors of the global economy.
Richard Stiennon, the founder and chief research analyst of IT-Harvest, shared insights about the new cohort on his Substack blog, “The Security Industry,” on March 9, setting the stage for a deeper examination of cybersecurity advancements and trends.
AI Security: The Leading Edge of the 2026 Cyber 150
Among the top 150 startups selected for the 2026 class, a significant 33 firms fall under the AI security category. This includes notable 2025 awardees such as BlinkOps, Doppel, Oasis Security, Protexxa, and Torq, along with a roster of new entrants making their mark in the industry.
New contenders include 7AI, which has successfully raised an impressive $166 million with a current workforce of 76 employees; Adaptive Security, boasting $136 million in funding and a headcount of 187; and Noma Security, which secured $132 million in funding, including a substantial $100 million injection in 2025, while employing 105 individuals.
Notably, Tenex.ai, a US-based company specializing in next-generation managed detection and response (MDR) services, emerged as the fastest-growing startup within the 2026 cohort. The firm achieved a remarkable 318% growth rate over the past year by integrating AI with human expertise to enhance detection and response strategies against enterprise security threats.
The representation of companies across various categories is significant in the 2026 cohort. Apart from AI, other prominent categories include Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC), which features 24 companies, followed by Security Operations with 15 nominees, and both Application Security and Data Security, each encompassing 13 firms.
A Shift in Dynamics: New Entrants and Graduates
The 2026 cohort demonstrated a substantial influx of new businesses, with a remarkable 103 new entrants among the top 150. This wave of innovation injects fresh ideas and solutions into the cybersecurity realm. The remaining 47 honorees were part of the 2025 cohort, indicating their sustained growth, though they had not surpassed the crucial 500-employee threshold.
Eight distinguished companies from the previous year’s winners have "graduated" by exceeding the 500-employee mark. These firms include Chainguard, Coralogix, Cyera, Group-IB, miniOrange, Persona, Silverfort, and Tines. Their transition to larger entities underscores their successes in a rapidly evolving market.
Geographically, the 2026 winners are spread across 19 countries, with a significant concentration in specific regions. Notably, 89 nominees hail from the United States, while 27 are based in Israel, 16 in the European Union, and 14 in the non-US Five Eyes countries—Canada, Australia, and the UK.
In terms of funding, Upwind, a US-based security operations startup, has made headlines by raising the most money overall at $430 million. Meanwhile, Exein, an Italian internet-of-things (IoT) security firm, attained the distinction of raising the highest amount in 2025 alone with $189.94 million.
In a public statement, Stiennon expressed that the Cyber 150 awards serve an essential purpose: to identify rising stars poised to become the future leaders in the ever-expanding field of cybersecurity. With increasing threats to digital assets, recognizing these innovators becomes crucial, as they provide not only solutions but also a proactive approach to safeguarding the increasingly interconnected world.