Tel Aviv-based startup Daylight Security has secured $33 million in fresh funding, marking a major milestone in its journey to reshape how organizations defend against sophisticated cyber threats. The investment round was led by Craft Ventures, co-founded by White House AI adviser David Sacks, with participation from Bain Capital Ventures and Maple VC. Several leading cybersecurity figures, including Assaf Rappaport of Wiz and Ofer Smadari of Torq, also joined the round.

This latest investment brings Daylight’s total funding to $40 million, achieved in less than six months since it emerged from stealth mode in July 2024.

The Founders Behind the Vision

Daylight was founded by Hagai Shapira and Eldad Rodich, who first met during their service in the Israeli Defense Forces’ elite Unit 8200, known for its technological excellence. The duo shared a vision to build a platform that merges artificial intelligence with human insight to address the rapidly evolving landscape of cyber threats.

According to Shapira, cybercriminals are now using AI to outsmart traditional defense systems, making it harder for organizations to detect breaches. He explained that while AI offers immense power, it cannot fully replace human expertise when trust, intuition, and context are critical.

AI and Human Experts: A Hybrid Defense Model

Daylight’s platform stands out for its hybrid approach, combining autonomous AI agents with human analysts. The AI continuously scans and processes data to identify potential threats in real time, while human experts validate and interpret those findings before taking action.

“AI is a powerful enabler, but it must work alongside people,” said Shapira. “We are building a system where both can operate in tandem to strengthen protection.”

The company’s approach addresses the growing challenge of cyberattacks, which rose 50% year over year, according to IBM. With the average cost of a data breach at $4.4 million, organizations are increasingly seeking smarter and faster defense mechanisms.

Backing from Global Investors and Industry Leaders

Craft Ventures’ partner Kevin Gabura praised Daylight’s model, calling it a “high-impact way” to bring generative AI and agent-based tools into security operations. The company’s managed detection and response (MDR) service is already in use by dozens of organizations, including The Motley Fool, Cresta, and McKinsey Investment Office.

The support from some of the industry’s most respected investors has reinforced the founders’ belief that hybrid AI-human systems represent the future of cybersecurity.

Expanding Global Presence

Headquartered in Tel Aviv with offices in the United States and Singapore, Daylight employs a team of 25 professionals, including seasoned analysts. The company plans to use the newly raised capital to expand its US operations, enhance its AI-based security platform, and introduce new solutions focused on identity threat response and cloud workload protection.

Shapira emphasized that this is only the beginning. “Our mission is to redefine how organizations think about security. The future lies in collaboration between human judgment and machine precision.”