HiddenLayer
HiddenLayer sells security software for AI systems, protecting against threats like model theft and prompt injection. The Austin-based company, founded in 2022, has raised $56M in Series A funding and employs 178 people.
The growth story
HiddenLayer grew from 2 to 178 employees between 2022 and 2026, raising $56M along the way, most recently a Series A in September 2023.
About
HiddenLayer's AISec Platform secures AI applications by combining supply chain security, runtime defense, and automated testing. It targets both private and public sector organizations looking to reduce AI-related risks and meet compliance requirements.
The company has grown rapidly since its 2022 founding, reaching 178 employees. Its $56M Series A round in September 2023 included investments from Microsoft's M12, IBM Ventures, and Capital One Ventures, signaling strong industry backing.
Founders and leadership
Engineering is the largest function with 41 staff, reflecting the company's technical focus. Leadership includes cybersecurity and machine learning veterans, though specific names aren't provided.
The HiddenLayer org chart
Chris Sestito (Co-Founder & CEO) leads 57 mapped leaders with 18 direct reports. Click +N to expand a team; names link to the person’s public profile.
Departments, and which ones grew
Headcount by function: Engineering 53 (+23% YoY), Information Technology 29 (+21% YoY), Business Development 13 (-7% YoY), Sales 11 (-8% YoY), Entrepreneurship 8 (-11% YoY), Arts and Design 8 (+33% YoY).
Talent flow
HiddenLayer's team draws heavily from cybersecurity firms, with 25 coming from Cylance and 17 from BlackBerry. Alumni have moved to companies like Microsoft and SecurityScorecard, though departures remain low.
Most common previous employers of HiddenLayer staff: Cylance (25), BlackBerry (17), Agari (7), Qualys (6), FireEye (5), McAfee (5). Former HiddenLayer employees most often moved to Eclypsium (2), CyAlliance® (1), Microsoft (1), SecurityScorecard (1), BlackFog (1), fiercenow.org (1).
Alumni worth knowing
Hiring now
Web traffic
Traffic mix: 30% direct, 54% search, 6% social, 0% paid.
What this company is made of
Most common skills at HiddenLayer: Python (Programming Language) (61), Leadership (58), Cybersecurity (50), Management (44), Cloud Computing (43), Security (41), SQL (40), Project Management (40).
Where the team actually sits
HiddenLayer people are concentrated in Texas, United States (15), Oregon, United States (13), California, United States (10), Virginia, United States (5).
Search footprint
HiddenLayer attracts about 815 organic search visits a month, traffic worth roughly $4K a month if bought through ads. It gained 191 ranking keywords and lost 110 in the last period.
What employees say
- Compensation
- 4.50 / 5
- Career opportunities
- 4.00 / 5
- Senior management
- 3.00 / 5
- Work-life balance
- 2.50 / 5
Frequently asked
HiddenLayer has 178 employees as of September 2026.
HiddenLayer has raised $56M in total, most recently a Series A round in September 2023.
HiddenLayer was founded in 2022 by Chris Sestito, James Ballard, Tanner Burns.
Chris Sestito (Co-Founder & CEO) sits at the top of HiddenLayer's reporting structure, with 18 direct reports.
The most common previous employers of current HiddenLayer staff are Cylance (25 people), BlackBerry (17 people), Agari (7 people).
Former HiddenLayer employees most often move to Eclypsium (2), CyAlliance® (1), Microsoft (1).
HiddenLayer attracts about 815 organic search visits a month, worth roughly $4K a month in equivalent ad spend.
The most common skills among HiddenLayer staff are Python (Programming Language), Leadership, Cybersecurity, Management, Cloud Computing.
HiddenLayer staff are concentrated in Texas, United States (15), Oregon, United States (13), California, United States (10).
HiddenLayer has about 53 people in Engineering, up 23% over the past year, as of September 2026.
HiddenLayer has about 29 people in Information Technology, up 21% over the past year, as of September 2026.
Computed from 126 current and 73 former HiddenLayer profiles, as of September 2026. Source: Crustdata.
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