Linx lands $50 million from Wiz's earliest investors to fix identity security in the AI era

Linx Security has successfully secured $50 million in Series B funding, attracting investments from many of the same early backers who played a crucial role in the rise of Wiz, a prominent name in cybersecurity. Founded in 2023 by Israel Duanis and Niv Goldenberg in New York, Linx counts leading firms such as Index Ventures, Cyberstarts, and Insight Partners among its supporters, echoing the foundational group that backed Wiz in its formative stages. Notably, the founders of Wiz also participated as angel investors in this new venture. In a recent interview, CEO and co-founder Israel Duanis shared his unique connection to Wiz, recalling his early days with co-founder Assaf Rappaport, whom he met while serving in the Army 25 years ago. This funding comes on the heels of Google's monumental $32 billion acquisition of Wiz, a deal that marks the tech giant's most significant purchase to date and highlights the escalating importance of cloud and AI security for major tech firms vying for enterprise clients. While Wiz focuses on cloud security, Linx aims to pioneer the next generation of identity protection. "The identity security landscape is undergoing changes similar to what cloud security experienced five to seven years ago," Duanis explained. Research from Palo Alto Networks indicates that nearly 90% of security incidents now stem from identity-related vulnerabilities, and Linx is committed to addressing this pressing issue. The company has developed a proactive approach by continuously mapping identities throughout an organization and swiftly responding to anomalies. Duanis emphasized the urgency of their mission, stating, "With the increasing number of attacks occurring daily, we want to empower businesses with proactive solutions." Central to Linx's strategy is its innovative product, Autopilot, an autonomous agent designed to monitor identity activities and autonomously resolve issues. Teddie Wardi, a managing partner at Insight Partners, praised Autopilot's readiness for the AI era, calling it a significant advancement rather than a temporary fix. He noted that the rising interest in companies like Linx reflects a broader transformation in the cybersecurity landscape. According to Crunchbase data, cybersecurity startups raised approximately $18 billion in 2025, reflecting a robust increase from the previous year and marking one of the strongest funding years since the peak in 2021. Wardi pointed out the current battle between AI-enabled threats and defenses, stating, "Without AI-driven solutions on the defender's side, navigating this environment is increasingly challenging." As Linx enters a competitive market dominated by established identity governance players like SailPoint and Saviynt, Duanis acknowledges the challenges posed by legacy systems struggling to adapt to rapid technological advancements. He stated, "Legacy companies founded two decades ago aimed to solve problems on a periodic basis. Today, we must ensure solutions are implemented in real-time to keep pace with the evolving landscape."