Where the Capital Is Going: AI-First Cybersecurity at 4YFN26

The global cybersecurity market reached $245 billion in 2024, yet cybercrime inflicted $9.5 trillion in damages worldwide – a figure that, if it were a country’s GDP, would rank as the world's third-largest economy. This paradox reveals the central challenge facing startups: in an era of infinite AI possibilities, infinite risks also follow.

But within this challenge lies a wealth of opportunities. At 4YFN25, cybersecurity was a hot topic, with startups demonstrating how AI-powered security platforms could transform from reactive tools to proactive business enablers. At 4YFN26 we’re going even deeper, with a new cybersecurity track. All attendees, partners and investors will be able to discover why security innovation has become inseparable from AI advancement itself. 

It’s an optimal time to get up to speed. Last year total cybersecurity funding jumped by up to 43%, with late-stage rounds exceeding $100 million dominating the market. This flight to quality signals a decisive shift: investors are placing larger, concentrated bets on proven security platforms rather than scattered point solutions.

Wiz exemplified this trend, with ​​Google agreeing to buy the cybersecurity company for $32 billion in March. The deal is due to happen in 2026, and would integrate Wiz into Google Cloud. Their success blueprint resonates across 4YFN's ecosystem: seasoned founders building comprehensive platforms that address fundamental pain points.

Geographically, the opportunity is two-speed: North America held over 34% of global cybersecurity revenue in 2024, with a mature and dominant buyer base, while Asia-Pacific was the fastest-growing regional market. Against this backdrop, the startups attracting capital aren’t chasing hype – they’re solving validated pain points and talent shortages with unified, AI-first platforms.

Across the industry, we’re seeing this maturity manifest in sophisticated AI applications. Startups like Konvu use Large Language Models to automate vulnerability prioritisation, whilst Unosecur leverages behavioural AI to monitor identity patterns in real-time. These aren’t incremental improvements – they're fundamental reimaginings of security operations.

The urgency of such innovation became clearer following Anthropic's recent disclosure that hackers had weaponised Claude to vibe hack at least 17 organisations, using AI not just to write malicious code but to make strategic decisions about data exfiltration and craft psychologically targeted extortion demands.

Every vertical at 4YFN26 depends on the security infrastructure being built today. Health Tech ventures need robust data protection for patient information. Fintech platforms require fraud prevention at scale. Gaming companies must secure virtual economies worth billions. 

But what distinguishes the most promising security startups isn't just their technology – it’s their strategic approach to partnerships. According to Gartner, spending on Information Security is estimated to increase 12.5% in 2026 to total $240 billion. With corporations increasingly viewing startup collaborations as essential rather than optional, new alliances can offer mutual benefit: startups gain rapid market access whilst enterprises acquire agility in addressing the talent shortage plaguing the security sector.

As AI becomes both sword and shield in cyber warfare, the startups gathering at 4YFN26 represent the vanguard of digital trust. They’re not just defending against threats – they’re architecting the secure foundation upon which all future innovation will build.

And if Barcelona still feels too far away, you can preview more insights at MWC Doha’s new 4YFN space in November, where cybersecurity will feature alongside health, fintech, mobility, smart cities and climate solutions.

Discover the future of cybersecurity innovation at 4yfn.com/cybersecurity

Track Tags: Cyber Security, Infinite AI, Corporate Innovation, Fintech, Health Tech, Gaming, Investors, Founders Academy