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Exein SpA has raised €100 million, a funding surge the Italian cybersecurity startup says will fuel its expansion and sharpen defenses for the increasingly connected world — from cars and smart speakers to factory floors.

The Rome-based company announced Thursday that the financing totals €100 million ($117 million) and comes from a consortium that includes J.P. Morgan, underscoring growing investor appetite for security tools embedded directly into connected devices.

Global Investors Back Embedded Security

The round was led by U.S. technology investor Blue Cloud Ventures, with participation from HV Capital of Germany, Geodesic Capital in the United States and Intrepid Growth Partners of Canada. Details on legal advisers for the transaction were not immediately available.

Exein said the fresh capital will help it expand internationally and pursue acquisitions, accelerating growth as cyber threats multiply alongside connected devices.

Securing the Internet of Things

Founded in 2018, Exein builds cybersecurity software powered by artificial intelligence that is embedded directly into devices that connect to the internet and exchange data. These so-called internet of things products — including thermostats, home routers, vehicles and industrial machines — can become prime targets for hackers when security updates lag.

Rather than acting as an external shield, Exein’s technology runs inside devices, aiming to detect and block attacks in real time.

Eyes on AI Infrastructure

Founder and CEO Gianni Cuozzo said the funding positions the company to move faster and think bigger.

“This allows us to accelerate even faster in 2026 and to support our M&A strategy as we scale into new markets,” Cuozzo said. “It will also enable us to introduce the next generation of runtime security technology.”

Exein said it also plans to deploy its tools to protect AI infrastructure and large language models, areas increasingly viewed as high-value targets for cyberattacks.

J.P. Morgan Sees Infrastructure Stakes

Max Hauer, head of innovation economy banking for Germany, Austria and Switzerland at J.P. Morgan, said the company’s mission aligns with rising global needs.

“Securing the world’s connected devices is becoming essential to the resilience of modern infrastructure,” Hauer said. “Exein is playing a pivotal role in this.”

Building on Earlier Momentum

The latest raise follows €70 million Exein secured in July through a Series C round led by British venture capital firm Balderton Capital. Series C financing typically signals a more mature startup preparing to scale rapidly.

With Exein SpA has raised €100 million, the company is betting that embedded security — invisible but ever-present — will become as fundamental to devices as the circuits they protect.