Google picks 11 Israeli startups for inaugural AI cybersecurity programme

Eleven Israeli and Israeli-founded startups have been selected for Google’s inaugural Gemini Startup Forum, accounting for a third of the programme’s first global cohort as the technology giant looks to accelerate the development of AI-powered cyber defences.

The initiative, focused on cybersecurity, is run by Google for Startups in partnership with Google Cloud, Google DeepMind and Israeli cloud security company Wiz, It has brought together 33 early-stage cybersecurity startups from around the world developing technologies to tackle emerging threats in the age of artificial intelligence.

Participants will receive access to Google’s AI models, technical expertise, training and mentoring through the Google for Startups Gemini Kit while working with specialists from Google Cloud, DeepMind and Wiz to refine their products and accelerate development.

Among the Israeli companies selected are Capsule Security and Onyx Security, both of which focus on securing autonomous AI agents as businesses increasingly adopt AI-powered systems. Capsule Security monitors AI agents to prevent unauthorised actions and data theft, while Onyx Security enables organisations to discover, manage and govern AI agents across enterprise environments.

The cohort also includes Alt Security, whose AI-powered platform automates penetration testing by identifying and validating software vulnerabilities; Huskeys, which has developed technology that automatically adapts firewall rules in real time; Native, a platform that helps organisations manage security across multiple cloud environments; QIZ Security, which is preparing businesses for the era of post-quantum cryptography by helping manage encryption assets; Glow, which combines endpoint, software and AI agent monitoring to protect enterprise workspaces; and Mate Security, which uses artificial intelligence to investigate and prioritise cybersecurity alerts.

Three US-based startups founded by Israelis also made the cohort. Bold Security develops AI-powered technology to prevent sensitive data from leaving enterprise devices, Jazz uses business context and user intent to strengthen data loss prevention, and ORION Security tracks the movement of sensitive information across endpoints, browsers and cloud applications to identify potential data loss risks.

Google said the programme reflects the cybersecurity industry’s growing focus on securing AI-powered systems as organisations increasingly deploy autonomous AI agents capable of carrying out complex tasks with minimal human intervention.

Announcing the inaugural cohort, Sandra Joyce, vice-president of Google Threat Intelligence, said: “Startups are at the forefront of tackling some of the world’s most complex challenges, especially in cybersecurity, where new ideas and adaptability are always needed. These companies are embracing AI as a powerful tool, enabling them to scale their impact.”

Google said it has supported more than 50 cybersecurity founders through its startup programmes over the past four years and that the Gemini Startup Forum reflects the industry’s growing emphasis on building secure, AI-native technologies for enterprises