Cybersecurity Startup Ent Raises Rare $100 Million Seed Round for AI-Era Defense

As generative AI and AI agents become embedded in corporate workflows, data leaks can arise from seemingly routine actions such as copying, pasting or having agents move information. Traditional endpoint detection and response, or EDR, and security information and event management, or SIEM, systems often detect such activity only after the fact. Ent, founded by former RiskIQ founders Elias Manousos and Brandon Dixon, aims to understand the intent of both humans and AI at the endpoint and block risks in real time, reflecting a renewed shift in cybersecurity toward proactive prevention.

Ent emerged from stealth on June 16, 2026, and announced a $100 million seed round led by Decibel Partners, with participation from Sequoia, Craft Ventures, In-Q-Tel and other investors. Its product supports Windows, macOS and Linux and has already been adopted by Global 2000 companies and defense organizations. The funding will be used to expand its engineering and go-to-market teams.