HiddenLayer
HiddenLayer, founded in 2022 and headquartered in Austin, Texas, is a cybersecurity company that protects enterprise AI systems from adversarial machine learning and AI-driven threats.
Profile
HiddenLayer sells software that detects and blocks attacks on machine learning models, such as adversarial inputs, model theft, and supply chain compromises.
HiddenLayer, founded in 2022 and headquartered in Austin, Texas, is a cybersecurity company that protects enterprise AI systems from adversarial machine learning and AI-driven threats. The company raised $50 million in a Series A round in September 2023, co-led by M12 and Moore Strategic Ventures, with participation from Booz Allen Hamilton, IBM, Capital One, and TenEleven, bringing total funding to $56 million. In March 2026, HiddenLayer released its 2026 AI Threat Landscape Report, based on a survey of 250 IT and security leaders, which found that one in eight reported AI breaches is now linked to agentic systems, and that malware hidden in public model and code repositories is the most cited source of AI-related breaches (35%).
The report also revealed that 76% of organizations cite shadow AI as a definite or probable problem, up from 61% in 2025, and that 73% report internal conflict over ownership of AI security controls. The company's product portfolio focuses on detecting and mitigating threats to machine learning models, including prompt injection, model theft, and supply chain attacks. HiddenLayer competes in the AI security market against firms like Protect AI and CalypsoAI.
The company's customer base spans financial services, government, and technology sectors, with notable clients including a major U.S. bank and a federal agency. As of early 2026, HiddenLayer has not disclosed revenue or headcount, but the 2026 report indicates growing enterprise adoption and budget allocation for AI security, with 91% of organizations adding AI security budgets for 2025, though over 40% allocated less than 10% of their budget on AI security. The company faces challenges in a crowded market and must navigate the tension between enabling AI autonomy and securing it.
Products by HiddenLayer
Who buys this
- Large enterprises in financial services
- Government and defense agencies
- Technology companies deploying AI at scale
- Organizations with sensitive AI models in production
- Enterprises concerned about shadow AI and ungoverned AI use
Strengths and what to watch
Strengths
- Raised $56 million total from strategic investors including M12 (Microsoft's venture arm), IBM, and Capital One, indicating strong corporate backing and potential channel partnerships.
- Published proprietary threat research (2026 AI Threat Landscape Report) that provides market visibility and positions the company as a thought leader in AI security.
- Product addresses a rapidly growing attack surface: agentic AI systems, which now account for one in eight reported AI breaches according to the company's own survey.
Watch for
- No disclosed revenue or customer count; the company's financial health and traction remain opaque, making it difficult to assess market share or growth rate.
- The AI security market is crowded with well-funded competitors like Protect AI (raised $60M+), CalypsoAI, and larger platform vendors (e.g., CrowdStrike, Palo Alto Networks) adding AI-specific features.
- The 2026 report's finding that 53% of organizations admit to withholding breach reporting suggests a trust gap that could undermine the company's own data collection and market positioning.
Recent moves
Key Information
- Industry
- AI Safety & Security
- Founded
- 2022
- Employees
- 170
- Headquarters
- Austin, Texas
- Country
- United States
Frequently Asked Questions
What does HiddenLayer do?
HiddenLayer sells software that detects and blocks attacks on machine learning models, including adversarial inputs, model theft, and supply chain compromises. Founded in 2022 and based in Austin, Texas, the company protects enterprise AI systems from AI-driven threats.
How much funding has HiddenLayer raised and who are the investors?
HiddenLayer raised $50 million in a Series A round in September 2023, co-led by M12 and Moore Strategic Ventures, with participation from Booz Allen Hamilton, IBM, Capital One, and TenEleven. Total funding is $56 million.
What are the key findings from HiddenLayer's 2026 AI Threat Landscape Report?
The report found that one in eight AI breaches is linked to agentic systems, malware in public repositories is the top breach source at 35%, 76% of organizations cite shadow AI as a problem, and 73% report internal conflict over AI security ownership.
What types of AI threats does HiddenLayer protect against?
HiddenLayer's product portfolio focuses on detecting and mitigating threats to machine learning models, including prompt injection, model theft, and supply chain attacks. It also addresses risks from agentic AI systems and shadow AI.
Who are HiddenLayer's main competitors in the AI security market?
HiddenLayer competes against firms like Protect AI and CalypsoAI, as well as larger platform vendors such as CrowdStrike and Palo Alto Networks that are adding AI-specific security features.
What customer segments does HiddenLayer serve?
HiddenLayer serves large enterprises in financial services, government and defense agencies, technology companies deploying AI at scale, organizations with sensitive AI models in production, and enterprises concerned about shadow AI and ungoverned AI use.
Sources
- www.prnewswire.com — 2026 AI Threat Landscape Report findings: 1 in 8 AI breaches linked to agentic systems, 35% of breaches from malware in public repositories, 76% cite shadow AI as problem, 73% internal conflict over AI security ownership.
- techcrunch.com — $50M Series A round in September 2023 co-led by M12 and Moore Strategic Ventures, with participation from Booz Allen Hamilton, IBM, Capital One, TenEleven; total raised $56M.
- www.hiddenlayer.com — Company's own press release confirming Series A funding details and investor list.
- www.hiddenlayer.com — Landing page for the 2026 AI Threat Landscape Report, confirming its publication and content.