Belgian Cybersecurity Startup Aikido Becomes Unicorn After $60 Million Funding Round

Belgian cybersecurity startup Aikido Security has reached unicorn status after raising $60 million in a funding round led by tech-focused private equity firm DST Global, valuing the company at $1 billion. The Ghent-based firm, founded in 2022, builds security tools that help software developers automatically identify and fix vulnerabilities as code is written, a capability increasingly critical in the age of AI-accelerated software creation.

Unlike traditional cybersecurity products that scan after code is deployed, Aikido’s platform operates during development, reducing security gaps before they reach production. CEO Willem Delbare described the tools as “guardrails” for secure coding and said the focus on developer usability has helped the company stand out in a crowded security market. The investments by DST Global — known for backing major tech names — amplify investor confidence in developer-centric security solutions.

Aikido’s revenue surged roughly fivefold last year, with about half of it coming from the United States, highlighting strong demand abroad. The company’s customer roster includes notable names such as Niantic, Revolut and SoundCloud, reflecting uptake across gaming, fintech and digital platforms. Its customer base has nearly tripled over the past year, signalling rapid adoption among organisations seeking built-in security as development speeds increase.

DST Global’s participation underscores a broader trend of investors prioritising cybersecurity technologies that integrate with developer workflows, especially as artificial intelligence tools make coding faster but can introduce subtle security risks. Tom Stafford, a managing partner at DST, said the firm sees a growing need for solutions that protect the software build process, rather than relying solely on after-the-fact testing tools.

Industry analysts note that Aikido’s growth reflects wide shifts in the cybersecurity landscape. Traditional scanning and perimeter security tools are being complemented by solutions that embed risk detection directly into development pipelines. As AI-driven code generation becomes more common, this “secure-by-design” approach could help prevent flaws that emerge when developers rely on automated assistants without adequate safety checks.

The startup’s rapid rise also highlights Europe’s expanding tech ecosystem. Belgium, though smaller than other tech hubs, has produced several rapidly scaling tech firms in recent years. Aikido’s unicorn milestone adds to this momentum and may inspire further investment in European security startups, particularly those targeting modern developer needs.

Going forward, Aikido plans to use the new capital to scale its product development, expand global sales efforts and deepen integrations with tools developers already use. With demand for secure coding tooling on the rise, the company aims to maintain its rapid growth trajectory and extend its presence across major tech markets.