Cyber security startups pull in record-breaking investment in 2021

Cyber security startups introduced in a “document-shattering” $29.5 billion in venture funds shelling out globally across 2021, according to new knowledge.

The financial commitment full quantities to more than double the number reported in 2020, which was just $12 billion, as noted by fiscal advisory company Momentum Cyber.

The organization said the increase was mostly driven by a increase in cyber threats, with noteworthy info breaches and ransomware attacks unfold through the 12 months. Traders poured a record amount of money into 1,042 transactions as a result, with 82 of these currently being larger than $100 million.

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A document quantity of security startups also arrived at unicorn position, with extra than 30 minted by the end of 2021, which includes Wiz and LaceWork. Which is when compared to just six startups running to achieve the exact same the year before.

IPOs were also up for the calendar year, with companies like Darktrace and SentinelOne serving to to elevate $2.2 billion on the stock sector. Cyber security stocks constantly performed nicely and even outperformed the NASDAQ, according to Momentum.

“We are entering a new age of cyber security risk that is tests our defences across each professional and authorities organisation,” said Dave DeWalt, founder and controlling director, Momentum Cyber. “It is the duty of defenders like us to hold investing in and nurturing innovation to combat this existential menace and make sure a protected and secure foreseeable future for all.”

Separately, the cyber security market also noticed document amounts of income produced by using mergers and acquisitions. The 286 transactions in 2021 additional up to $77.5 billion, around three instances larger than in 2020. The quantity was inflated by billion-dollar acquisitions, these types of as the $14.1 billion offer for McAfee.

The cyber risk of blockchain and cryptocurrencies

2021 will a lot more probably be remembered as a yr littered with knowledge breaches and ransomware. There were being noteworthy attacks on core infrastructure, these types of as the Colonial Pipeline and the Irish Health Procedure. This was in addition to large-scale source chain attacks, these types of as SolarWinds and Microsoft Trade.

Looking to 2022, Momentum’s report suggests investors will target on cyber security’s “rising romance” with cryptocurrency and blockchain.

“Although it continues to be to be witnessed how these sectors will evolve around the coming yr, investors will definitely be paying close focus,” the report notes.