DriveNets raises $410M Series D at $8.5B valuation

What's the deal? DriveNets, an Israeli networking company, has closed US$265.3M fourth funding round, valuing the company at $8.5B. The startup was founded in December 2015 by Ido Susan (chief executive officer) and Hillel Kobrinsky (vice president of strategy).

The signal: DriveNets' leap to an $8.5B valuation places the late-growth-stage company among the most highly valued private networking firms globally, reflecting surging demand for software-driven network infrastructure as telecom and cloud operators race to handle AI-era data traffic. The round also highlights Israel's continued strength as a hub for deep-tech networking innovation, even as overall venture funding remains selective.

Source: themarker.com