Akamai Technologies announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire LayerX, a fast‑growing cybersecurity startup founded in 2021 and recognized for pioneering browser‑based AI usage control and secure enterprise browser (SEB) technology. The acquisition, valued at approximately $205 million, underscores Akamai’s strategy to accelerate innovation by integrating cutting‑edge startup capabilities into its expanding Zero Trust security portfolio.
Founded just five years ago, LayerX quickly emerged as one of the most technically advanced startups in the browser security space. Its platform extends enterprise protection directly into the browser—now the primary workspace for employees and a critical control point for generative AI tools, SaaS AI applications, and agentic AI systems. LayerX’s technology gives security teams real‑time visibility and control over how users interact with web content, prompts, file uploads, and AI‑driven workflows.
Unlike proprietary enterprise browsers that require organizations to switch environments, LayerX supports all major browsers and even the new generation of agentic browsers such as Atlas and Comet. This allows enterprises to adopt AI safely without disrupting user experience or modifying infrastructure.
“Our customers are adopting AI at record speed, and they’re telling us the same thing: Their existing controls cannot see how employees are interacting with AI tools and sharing with large language models,” said Mani Sundaram, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Security Technology Group, Akamai. “LayerX gives us a control layer at the point of use, enabling enterprises to move at AI speed without compromising safety or compliance.”
LayerX’s capabilities will integrate with Akamai’s Zero Trust offerings—including ZTNA, runtime protection for AI applications, and workload‑level segmentation—to deliver AI usage control that spans users, applications, and infrastructure.
“Securing human and agentic AI usage has become one of the defining challenges in enterprise security,” said Or Eshed, CEO and Co‑Founder of LayerX. “Joining Akamai allows us to scale our vision globally and accelerate innovation.”
LayerX’s team, including founders Or Eshed and David Vaisbrud, will join Akamai’s Zero Trust organization. This marks Akamai’s fourth cybersecurity acquisition in Tel Aviv in five years, strengthening its regional innovation hub.
The transaction is expected to close in Q3 2026, subject to customary conditions. LayerX is projected to reach approximately $10 million in ARR by year‑end.
