Varonis acquires SlashNext for $150 million in AI email security push
Acquisition of California startup strengthens Israeli firm’s defenses against phishing and AI-driven attacks.
Israeli cybersecurity firm Varonis, valued at $6 billion on Wall Street, is acquiring SlashNext, an American startup, in a deal reportedly worth $150 million. SlashNext has developed AI-based email security solutions designed to prevent phishing attacks. Hackers often exploit social engineering techniques to target users through email and collaboration tools such as WhatsApp, Slack, and Teams. SlashNext’s technology will enable Varonis to offer security managers a more comprehensive solution for identifying and responding to threats at the earliest stages of email-based attacks.
The email security market is projected to grow from $5.2 billion in 2025 to $10.7 billion by 2032, driven largely by the rise of phishing and AI-driven business email compromise (BEC) attacks.
SlashNext was founded in 2017 by Atif Mushtaq, a renowned developer who previously worked at FireEye, later sold to Google. The California-based company, which employs over 100 people, has raised only $40 million to date. Its technology relies on predictive AI models, incorporating computer vision and natural language processing (NLP).
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Varonis, meanwhile, has built a cloud-based data security platform that continuously identifies and classifies critical data, eliminates exposures, and detects threats using AI-driven automation. Founded in 2004, Varonis is led by co-founder Yaki Faitelson, who serves as CEO, chairman, and president. The company employs about 2,000 people, the majority based outside Israel. Varonis went public in 2014 and has faced fluctuations in performance; over the past year, it has delivered zero returns to investors despite a buoyant cybersecurity market. The company is expected to close 2025 with revenues of roughly $625 million, reflecting 12% growth and positive operating cash flow.
