NeuralTrust Secures $20 Million to Boost AI Security in Europe
Barcelona-based AI security firm NeuralTrust has successfully raised $20 million in seed funding, predominantly led by Alstin Capital from Munich. This funding aims to accelerate the company’s growth as it addresses the critical need for AI governance among enterprises.
Growing Concerns Around AI Governance
A recent warning from Gartner highlights that by 2027, 40% of businesses might shut down or limit their AI agents due to governance issues often discovered only after problems arise. NeuralTrust has identified that 1.2% of AI interactions within enterprises are linked to malicious activities, a number that poses potential risks for companies.
Many large organizations are unclear about how many AI agents operate within their systems and what permissions these agents hold. This lack of awareness can lead to significant issues, especially if an AI agent inadvertently shares sensitive information outside the organization.
Aiming to Solve Visibility Issues
NeuralTrust, founded in 2022 by Joan Vendrell, Victor Garcia, and Alejandro Domingo, aims to tackle this visibility challenge. Vendrell, who has held leadership roles at companies like Mango and Amazon, emphasizes the risks of connecting AI to sensitive platforms, stating, “It’s manageable if ChatGPT makes an error, but if an AI agent leaks internal information, that’s a serious issue.”
The recent funding round included contributions from various investors like VentureFriends, Seaya, Kibo Ventures, and the European Innovation Council, which collectively support NeuralTrust’s mission.
The Importance of AI Governance
NeuralTrust’s platform tackles the growing issue of multiple AI agents operating without adequate oversight in large companies. Different teams may develop various AI tools independently, leading to potential vulnerabilities. Most security teams struggle to monitor these agents, which increases the chances of rogue agents causing harm.
Gartner’s research predicts that Fortune 500 companies will manage over 150,000 AI agents by 2028, yet only a small fraction feel ready to oversee them. The European cybersecurity market is booming, valued at over $72 billion in 2025, with strong annual growth predicted.
How NeuralTrust Operates
NeuralTrust’s platform consists of three key components. TrustGate manages all model operations, creating a central control point for AI traffic. TrustGuard acts as a real-time security engine to detect threats, while TrustLens provides visibility by mapping all agents and their activities.
Currently, the platform monitors millions of interactions daily, noting that 1.2% involve attempts to compromise data or violate policies. Major players in the security industry are recognizing the importance of AI governance, as seen with recent acquisitions like Palo Alto Networks’ purchase of Protect AI.
Strategic Positioning and Future Plans
NeuralTrust’s focus as a European expert is crucial as the EU tightens its AI governance regulations. Some clients prefer local providers for reasons of security and sovereignty, particularly in government.
The company has already made impressive strides for a seed-stage startup, garnering notable clients such as Iberia and Banc Sabadell. In just the first quarter of 2026, NeuralTrust doubled its annual recurring revenue from the previous year.
With its recent funding, NeuralTrust plans to bolster its engineering team and enhance product integration as it prepares for expansion across Europe and entry into the U.S. market. The pressing question now is whether companies will prioritize integrating these vital security solutions before a significant incident necessitates action.
