Paris-based cybersecurity company Nucleon Security just closed a €3 million funding round that puts autonomous AI at the center of corporate defense. The startup plans to use this capital injection to expand its Zero Trust platform across Europe and Africa while doubling down on research and development.
The late seed round drew backing from NewFund Capital, which led the investment, alongside Orange Ventures, CDG Invest through its 212Founders program, LoftyInc Capital, and Axian Group. This diverse investor lineup shows strong confidence in Nucleon’s approach to automated cyber defense.
Nucleon Security Addresses Critical Skills Gap
Cyber threats grow more sophisticated each day while companies struggle to find qualified defenders. The World Bank reports nearly 4 million cybersecurity jobs remain unfilled globally. Meanwhile, Cybersecurity Ventures projects cyber damage costs will hit $10.5 trillion by 2025.
Nucleon Security already protects over 100 clients across three continents with its AI-powered platform. The company’s technology doesn’t just detect threats but acts on them automatically, reducing the burden on human security teams.
“We are not talking about concepts, but solutions that are already operational. Our ambition is to make cybersecurity proactive and accessible to all, enabling companies to gain visibility, efficiency, and resilience through a holistic platform combining Zero Trust and agentic AI.” said Anas Chanaa, co-founder and CEO of Nucleon Security.
Agentic AI Powers Next-Generation Cyber Defense
Nucleon’s platform runs on what the company calls “agentic AI”. Instead of simply flagging suspicious activity, this AI analyzes situations, makes decisions, takes action, and learns from each interaction.
The agentic AI cybersecurity market shows explosive growth potential. Research from Grand View Research indicates this sector will expand from $22.56 billion in 2024 to $322.39 billion by 2033, representing a 34.4% annual growth rate.
Nucleon’s Zero Trust approach covers four key areas:
- Smart Endpoint Protection: The company’s EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response) solution blocks suspicious activity by default, preventing threats before they spread through networks.
- Managed Security Operations: Nucleon’s MDR (Managed Detection and Response) service provides 24/7 monitoring with local data handling to meet sovereignty requirements.
- Advanced Threat Analysis: Malprob AI identifies new malware variants before they become widespread threats.
- Intelligent Alert Management: ScorX technology prioritizes alerts and highlights critical threats, helping security teams focus on what matters most.
Strategic Investor Base Spans Continents
The funding round attracted investors from across Europe and Africa, reflecting Nucleon’s expansion strategy. NewFund Capital, which led the round, brings deep cybersecurity sector expertise to support the company’s growth.
“We are proud to support Nucleon Security, whose expertise in next-generation cybersecurity addresses a critical challenge for businesses. This investment reflects our confidence in their team and international ambition.” said Salim Hassad, Partner at NewFund.
Axian Group’s participation adds significant value for African market expansion. The pan-African investment firm, controlled by Malagasy businessman Hassanein Hiridjee, operates telecom services for over 42.9 million mobile subscribers across 17 African markets.
LoftyInc Capital’s involvement through its Alpha Fund specifically targets bringing advanced cybersecurity solutions to fast-growing African markets, including Francophone regions where digital adoption accelerates quickly.
Zero Trust Market Drives Massive Growth Opportunity
The global Zero Trust security market creates substantial opportunity for Nucleon’s expansion. Fortune Business Insights values this market at $36.35 billion in 2024, with projections reaching $124.50 billion by 2032.
Zero Trust architecture assumes no user or device should be trusted by default, requiring continuous verification for every access request. This approach becomes important as organizations embrace remote work, cloud services, and digital transformation initiatives.
Gartner forecasts worldwide cybersecurity spending will reach $212 billion in 2025, reflecting 15.1% year-over-year growth as companies prioritize digital protection
Implementation Strategy Focuses on Practical Results
Unlike many AI cybersecurity vendors that emphasize theoretical capabilities, Nucleon Security emphasizes operational deployment and measurable outcomes. The company’s platform integrates with existing security infrastructures, reducing implementation complexity for customers.
The startup’s approach addresses a common challenge in cybersecurity AI adoption which is the gap between promising technology demonstrations and real-world deployment. Nucleon reduces barriers to adoption by focusing on practical applications that work within current IT environments.
The €3 million funding enables Nucleon to scale production capabilities, expand sales teams in target markets, and accelerate research into new threat detection methods. The company plans to use these resources to support larger organizations while maintaining accessibility for smaller businesses.
With cyber threats evolving and skilled defenders in short supply, Nucleon Security’s autonomous approach offers a compelling solution. The fresh funding positions the company to capture growing market demand while establishing strong footholds in Europe and Africa’s expanding digital economies.
