#United States #Arlington #U.S. Military #Cyber Warfare #Twenty

Twenty Raises $38M to Revolutionize Cyber Warfare Technology

In a significant leap forward for national security, Twenty, a company focused on transforming the industrial landscape of cyber warfare, has successfully secured $38 million in Series A funding. This capital infusion is poised to enhance the company’s ambitious goal of developing advanced cyber warfare technologies designed to match the evolving threats posed by global adversaries. The funding round drew participation from notable investors, including Caffeinated Capital, General Catalyst, and In-Q-Tel.

Founded in 2024 by a team of decorated veterans and elite operators, Twenty has emerged from stealth mode with a commitment to deliver intelligent cyber warfare systems capable of operating at an unprecedented scale. The company's foundation rests on collaboration with the U.S. military and the Intelligence Community, addressing long-standing gaps in offensive cyber operations. By leveraging cutting-edge software engineering, Twenty is set to revolutionize a sector often criticized for its slow pace of innovation.

As cybersecurity threats grow increasingly sophisticated, the urgency for innovative solutions is clearer than ever. Heightened tensions surrounding U.S. digital borders have prompted calls for more aggressive offensive cyber strategies. With world-class adversaries like the People's Republic of China (PRC) making strides in cyber capabilities, the necessity for enhanced offensive tools has become a topic of urgent discussion among lawmakers and military officials alike.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe has underscored the critical need to update the U.S.'s cyber capabilities, emphasizing the importance of being able to respond effectively to breaches of national security. The stakes have reached new heights following revelations that PRC state-sponsored hackers utilized AI technologies in extensive hacking campaigns targeted at major corporations and foreign governments, reflecting a need for rapid military and intelligence innovation.

Joe Lin, the Co-founder and CEO of Twenty, recognized these vulnerabilities when he previously led Public Sector at Expanse. Lin observed that American cyber operators frequently relied on outdated, manual methods and fragmented tools to accomplish crucial missions. These approaches, he argues, are not equipped to handle the complexities and high stakes of modern cyber conflict.

In Lin's words, “We are engaged in an existential competition with China, a determined adversary that aims to reshape the global landscape. Cyberspace has become a central battleground in this competition.” To adequately address the challenges posed by adversaries, he contends that analysts and operators need access to intelligent, autonomous capabilities that can operate at an industrial scale.

Timothy Junio, a co-founder of Threada and former CEO of Expanse, emphasizes the significance of Twenty's team, highlighting the unique blend of experience in technology and national defense. With prior military and government experience, the team has already been successful in landing substantial government contracts totaling over $100 million.

Inferred by these expert opinions, Twenty emerges as not just a startup but a vital player in addressing cybersecurity at a national level. The firm aims to evolve and provide timely, mission-ready capabilities to counter critical threats.

As the nation grapples with increasingly complicated challenges from adversaries, funding such ventures becomes pivotal. Raymond Tonsing, Managing Partner at Caffeinated Capital, highlighted this urgency stating, “As our adversaries become more sophisticated, it's crucial for the United States to effectively close these operational gaps. Twenty presents a unique investment opportunity to bolster national security.”

With this financial backing, Twenty is set to propel its innovative cyber systems to the forefront of defense strategies. They aim to build and deploy transformative capabilities not just for the military but for the entire intelligence community tasked with safeguarding national interests. This investment is seen as a critical step in ensuring U.S. cybersecurity remains ahead of rapidly evolving global threats, making it a pivotal moment in the national fight to secure digital infrastructures.