10 European Startups Battling AI's Dark Side

Jan de Vries · 2026-10-15

Artificial intelligence is changing how we build software. But it's also changing how cyberattacks happen. AI-powered phishing, automated attacks, and deepfake impersonations are no longer sci-fi. They're real, and they're getting smarter. At the same time, we're adopting AI agents, autonomous systems, and AI-assisted development at breakneck speed. That opens up new security holes. It's a double-edged sword. Across Europe, a wave of startups is rising to meet these threats. Some are building tools to protect AI agents and connected systems. Others are using AI to automate penetration testing, beef up threat detection, and speed up security investigations. These 10 European startups are tackling the next generation of AI-driven cyber threats. They're helping organizations strengthen their defenses as both attackers and defenders lean more on AI. ### Cytix (UK) Founded in 2020, Cytix is taking on the risks that come with AI-driven software change. In August 2026, the company raised €6 million ($6.5 million) in Series A funding. Why? Because AI-assisted development, agentic workflows, and continuous delivery are moving faster than traditional security models can handle. Cytix's platform helps organizations manage security risk as software changes more quickly and frequently. It's like having a security guard that keeps up with your code. ### Escape (France) Escape, founded in 2020, is building an AI-powered offensive security engineering platform. In March 2026, they raised €15.4 million ($16.7 million) in a Series A round led by Balderton. Their work is part of a bigger shift toward continuous, automated offensive security. Instead of waiting for annual pen tests, companies can use AI-assisted testing to find vulnerabilities before attackers do. ### Exein (Italy) Italian embedded cybersecurity company Exein, founded in 2018, protects connected devices, autonomous systems, and physical AI infrastructure. They raised €234 million ($253 million), reaching unicorn status. Unlike traditional security that guards networks from the outside, Exein embeds protection directly into devices. Its runtime security tech monitors system behavior, detects suspicious activity, and can block malicious actions before they execute. ### Fleuret AI (France) Founded in 2026, Fleuret AI is automating penetration testing with AI agents. The Paris-based startup closed a €4 million ($4.3 million) pre-Seed round in October 2026 to hire AI, software engineering, and offensive security talent. By combining offensive security expertise with agentic AI, Fleuret aims to make penetration testing more continuous and accessible. ### Hadrian (UK / Netherlands) Founded in Amsterdam in 2021, Hadrian builds an agentic AI offensive security platform. It continuously discovers, validates, and prioritizes exposures across digital attack surfaces. In October 2026, the London-Amsterdam startup raised €35.68 million ($38.6 million) to expand across EMEA and the US. Its platform sits at the intersection of offensive security, automation, and AI-driven attack-surface management. ### NeuralTrust (Spain) Barcelona-based NeuralTrust, founded in 2022, protects enterprise AI applications and autonomous agents. Its platform monitors interactions between AI agents, users, and connected tools, applying real-time security controls to detect and prevent harmful behavior. In June 2026, NeuralTrust announced a €17.2 million ($18.6 million) Seed round—the largest cybersecurity Seed financing raised by an EU company to date. ### The Bigger Picture These startups show that Europe isn't just watching the AI revolution—it's actively shaping how we secure it. As AI becomes more integrated into our digital lives, their work will be crucial. > "The future of cybersecurity is proactive, not reactive. AI is both the threat and the solution." Whether it's protecting AI agents, automating pen tests, or securing physical devices, these companies are on the front lines. And they're just getting started.