Israeli AI cybersecurity startup Dream secures $100M funding to attack cyberattacks

The rapid evolution of cyber threats against national infrastructure has created an urgent need for advanced defense systems. Dream, an AI-driven cybersecurity company founded in 2023, has emerged as a significant player in protecting governments and critical infrastructure from sophisticated attacks.

Funding milestone and company overview: Dream has secured a Series B funding round of USD 100 million, achieving a valuation of USD 1.1 billion.

• The funding round was led by Bain Capital Ventures, with participation from Group 11, Tru Arrow, Tau Capital, and Aleph
• The Israel-based company reported USD 130 million in annual sales in 2024, primarily serving governments and national cybersecurity organizations
• Dream maintains offices in Tel Aviv, Vienna, and Abu Dhabi, combining expertise from data scientists, cyber researchers, and AI specialists

Core technology and innovation: Dream’s approach centers on its proprietary Cyber Language Model (CLM), which represents a significant advancement in automated cybersecurity defense.

• The CLM is specifically trained for cybersecurity operations, capable of analyzing code, logs, and threat data
• The system is designed to think like both defender and attacker, providing comprehensive threat assessment and prevention
• The technology requires no installation or integration, allowing for rapid deployment and immediate threat prevention

Leadership vision and mission: Dream’s founders bring unique perspectives from both government and technology sectors to address national security challenges.

• CEO Shalev Hulio emphasizes the company’s unprecedented focus on national-level cybersecurity protection
• Co-founder and President Sebastian Kurz, drawing from his experience as Prime Minister, highlights the real-world impact of cyber attacks on society
• The leadership team focuses on empowering nations against what they consider the defining national security concern of the current era

Strategic expansion and market impact: The new funding will accelerate Dream’s development and market reach in critical areas.

• The investment will enhance product capabilities and facilitate expansion into markets facing significant cybersecurity challenges
• Dream’s approach addresses the evolving nature of cyber threats, particularly those leveraging AI to exploit organizational vulnerabilities
• Bain Capital Ventures partner Enrique Salem praised Dream’s rapid growth and its solution to the persistent problems of incomplete visibility and alert overload

Future implications and industry impact: While Dream’s rapid growth and innovative approach show promise, questions remain about the long-term effectiveness of AI-driven cybersecurity solutions in countering increasingly sophisticated state-sponsored attacks. The company’s focus on national-level security and its unique positioning could reshape how governments approach cyber defense, but success will depend on its ability to stay ahead of evolving threats while maintaining scalability across different national contexts.