Cloud security startup Upwind has raised $400 million in a Series C funding round, reaching a valuation of $3.8 billion. The financing was led by Bessemer Venture Partners, with existing investors Greylock Partners and Craft Ventures also participating.
The new valuation is more than double the $1.5 billion figure attached to the company's previous $250 million round, completed nine months earlier. The fundraising process reportedly faced uncertainty after software monitoring company Datadog explored acquiring Upwind. The parties did not agree on terms, and Upwind continued as an independent company.
Focus on real-time cloud protection
Founded four years ago by Amiram Shachar, Upwind focuses on "runtime" security: identifying and addressing vulnerabilities and attacks while cloud services are operating. The company's growth comes as businesses adopt more AI-powered services and seek to secure increasingly complex cloud environments.
Upwind is reported to be adding $20 million to $30 million in annual recurring revenue each quarter, with a forecast of about $90 million by year-end. Its funding and valuation reflect investor confidence in the expanding market for cybersecurity software.
By choosing to remain independent, Upwind is betting that continued growth can create greater long-term value. Its next phase will help show how real-time, AI-enabled security can shape the future of cloud infrastructure.
