NetBird, a Berlin-based cybersecurity startup that develops an open-source network security platform, has raised €4 million in seed funding. The round was co-led by InReach Ventures (which invested in Streamkap and Exactly.ai) and existing investor Nauta, with participation from Antler and a grant from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research.
With this investment, the company plans to accelerate its hiring efforts, further product development, and expand its footprint globally, continuing its disruption of the network security market.
Hybrid workspaces and cybersecurity challenge
The rise of hybrid work has reshaped enterprise IT security, pushing organisations from the traditional perimeter-based defences toward Zero Trust architectures. Based on the principle of “never trust, always verify,” this model enforces continuous authentication for users and devices, reducing remote access risks. This shift has driven the Zero Trust security market’s rapid growth, with projections of a 17% CAGR, nearing $100 billion by 2030, as per Fortune Business Insights.
Large cybersecurity vendors have fueled this growth by heavily promoting Zero Trust in marketing, raising awareness but also creating significant buzz. However, for many organisations, especially SMEs, the concept remains difficult to implement due to its complexity and high costs, often leaving them unable to fully benefit from its promise.
How was the idea born?
NetBird was founded in 2022 by Misha Bragin and Maycon Santos. The idea emerged from a shared passion for network security and open-source innovation. The diverse duo – a Russian and a Brazilian, started their journey in Brazil while working at PSafe, a cybersecurity startup later acquired by CyberLabs. Relocating to Berlin, they joined Antler’s founder residency, where a side project on end-to-end encryption evolved into NetBird.
Making network security accessible to all
With a vision to make secure private networking a fundamental right for every company, NetBird introduces a zero-configuration business VPN. Leveraging a WireGuard-based peer-to-peer network and intuitive access controls, it simplifies advanced security for all users, allowing even non-technical administrators to manage teams, infrastructure, and rules effortlessly.
Since its launch on GitHub in 2021, NetBird has gained traction among thousands of companies seeking secure and seamless solutions to connect remote employees and infrastructure. By replacing traditional centralised VPNs, it has become a trusted choice for modern network security, currently connecting hundreds of thousands of users and machines worldwide.
What’s next for NetBird?
The company’s potential lies in democratising network security for hybrid workforces with its zero-configuration VPN, simplifying Zero Trust adoption. Having received its seed funding, the company’s scalable open-source platform has already gained global traction. Positioned to disrupt the $100 billion Zero Trust market, NetBird empowers SMEs with cost-effective, accessible, and robust cybersecurity solutions. On the whole, NetBird is poised to scale its transformative approach to secure networking.
Since its launch on GitHub in 2021, NetBird has gained traction among thousands of companies, seeking to securely connect users and devices worldwide. The open-source, community-driven approach has been a key driver of NetBirds’s success. “The open-source community has been incredibly supportive, and that feedback loop allows us to innovate quickly,” said CTO and co-founder of NetBird, Maycon Santos. “We listen to our users, and their input helps us make network security better for everyone.”
“This funding round is a significant milestone for NetBird,” said co-founder and CEO at NetBird, Misha Bragin. “Together with a small team of incredibly talented engineers, we’ve built an open-source platform that reflects the needs of today’s connected world and sets the foundation for the secure networks of tomorrow. We’re at the right time to scale our mission, as the Zero Trust security market is rapidly growing, and we’re excited to lead the charge in making these advanced technologies accessible to organisations of all sizes. Our mission has always been to level the playing field, ensuring that when engineers think about secure connectivity, NetBird is the first solution that comes to mind. This commitment has already been showcased, as our platform has connected hundreds of thousands of users and devices from customers around the world. With this investment, we’re ready to accelerate our mission, expand globally, and redefine what secure network access can look like for the modern world.”
Investors’ views
“NetBird’s approach redefines what’s possible in network security,” said Amanda Jones Floyd, Partner at InReach Ventures. “While traditional solutions force companies to choose between security and simplicity, NetBird proves you can have both and do it brilliantly. The way that NetBird has managed to break down complex network security into a beautifully simple, user-friendly product is really inspiring. With their open-source approach, Misha and Maycon and the NetBird team, have created something special—a vibrant community where every user feels heard and valued. We believe NetBird will fundamentally change how organisations think about and implement secure networking, setting a new industry standard. That’s why we’re not just investing in their technology but in their vision and the extraordinary team making it happen.”
“The rise of remote working and distributed infrastructure has driven significant change to the security requirements for businesses of all kinds. Many have turned to VPNs as a solution to secure their employees’ access to confidential or protected information, but many VPNs are inefficient, costly, and act as a single point of failure for even the largest companies. NetBird solves these challenges by combining a Mesh-VPN architecture with Zero Trust Network Access Controls, providing a solution which is more efficient, cheaper and more secure than a traditional VPN. We’re lucky enough to have been part of the journey so far and are delighted to be backing Misha, Maycon and the team once again as they grow NetBird,” added Carles Ferrer, General Partner at Nauta.
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