Databricks bought two startups to underpin its new AI security product

Databricks, renowned for its robust cloud data analytics platform, has recently announced significant developments in its AI security offerings. Following a substantial $5 billion funding round concluded last month, the company is making strategic acquisitions to bolster its latest product, Lakewatch. Lakewatch aims to enhance traditional Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) functions by leveraging Databricks’ extensive data storage capabilities combined with AI agents powered by Anthropic’s Claude. As part of this initiative, Databricks has acquired two startups: Antimatter and SiftD.ai. The acquisition of Antimatter, which had been kept under wraps until now, was finalized last year, while SiftD.ai joined the Databricks portfolio just this week. Antimatter, founded by security expert Andrew Krioukov, previously raised $12 million in a funding round led by New Enterprise Associates in 2022. Meanwhile, SiftD.ai, a nascent company that launched its product only months ago, developed an interactive notebook designed for collaborative work between users and AI agents. The co-founder of SiftD.ai, CEO Steve Zhang, previously held a notable position as chief scientist at Splunk, where he was instrumental in creating the Search Processing Language. The acquisitions are indicative of Databricks’ strategy to integrate innovative technologies into its offerings. While SiftD.ai appears to focus on talent acquisition due to its small team, Antimatter’s technology will likely contribute valuable intellectual property. Krioukov, who has been part of Databricks for several months, is now heading the Lakewatch team. In response to inquiries about future acquisitions, a Databricks spokesperson confirmed that the company remains actively engaged in identifying promising startups, emphasizing their commitment to staying ahead of market demands and addressing customer needs.