Estonian security firm Blackwall secures funding to protect sites from rising automated traffic and AI agents.
Key points
- Blackwall raised $100 million, valuing the firm at $2.2 billion.
- The company filters billions of requests daily for hosting providers.
- Automated traffic now accounts for over half of all web requests.
Estonian cybersecurity firm Blackwall announced a $100 million funding round led by AVP. The deal values the company at $2.2 billion, quadrupling its previous worth.
What happened
Blackwall secured $100 million in new capital, with AVP leading the investment round. Existing backers Dawn Capital, MMC Ventures and Tera Ventures also participated in the financing. Executive chairman Roi Carthy told TechCrunch the valuation is four times higher than the company’s last round in 2025. The firm, formerly known as BotGuard, now filters billions of requests daily for web hosting and cloud providers rather than selling directly to website owners.
Why it matters
The surge in funding reflects a shift in internet traffic composition. Software agents and bots now generate more than half of all web requests, according to Imperva data cited by Tech Funding News. This volume overwhelms infrastructure designed for human users. Blackwall argues its distribution model through hosting providers gives it an advantage over rivals like Cloudflare or DataDome. Regulators are also beginning to track rogue AI agents as their numbers climb.
The fix
- Monitor server logs for unusual spikes in automated requests.
- Implement rate limiting on public-facing API endpoints.
- Verify that bot mitigation tools are bundled with your hosting provider.
- Review access policies for AI crawlers and automated agents.
Why it matters
Security teams usually rely on web application firewalls to distinguish human visitors from automated scripts. As the volume of legitimate and malicious bots increases, traditional methods become less effective. Organizations should check whether their current infrastructure can handle traffic from non-human agents. This shift requires monitoring request patterns rather than just IP addresses. Teams must adapt defenses to filter billions of daily requests without blocking genuine users.
Background: IP addresses
An IP address is a unique numerical label assigned to every device connected to a computer network using the Internet Protocol. It functions like a postal address, ensuring data packets reach the correct destination. Devices use these addresses to communicate, and routers direct traffic based on them.
Read the full guide: IP Addresses Explained: How Network Identity Works
What to do and how to stay safe: Blackwall
- Check if your hosting provider includes bot mitigation services.
- Review server metrics for abnormal traffic patterns from automated sources.
- Ensure rate limiting is enabled on public endpoints to reduce load.
- Monitor for new AI agents accessing your site content.
Step-by-step guide: What is password policies and how they protect systems
General security guidance from the Crypt Weekly newsroom. It is not confirmed advice from the organisations named in this story.
Frequently asked questions
How much money did Blackwall raise?
Blackwall raised $100 million in a round led by AVP.
What is Blackwall's new valuation?
The company is now valued at $2.2 billion.
Who are the other investors in this round?
Dawn Capital, MMC Ventures and Tera Ventures also participated.
