Torq
Israeli security-automation company founded in 2020 by the founders of Luminate Security, described as veterans of military cyber units, one reportedly from Unit 8200
| Torq
| |
|---|---|
| Logo |  Torq logo |
| Type | Private company |
| Founded | 2020 |
| Founder(s) | Ofer Smadari, Leonid Belkind, Eldad Livni |
| Headquarters | New York (US headquarters) and Tel Aviv (main development centre), according to Ctech |
| Industry | Cyber security |
| Services | AI-driven automation of security operations centres |
| Number of employees | More than 350 (January 2026, according to Ctech) |
| Homepage | torq.io |
Torq is an Israeli cyber-security company that sells software to automate security operations centres using AI agents. It was founded in 2020 by Ofer Smadari, Leonid Belkind and Eldad Livni, who had earlier founded Luminate Security and sold it to Symantec.[1][2] Ctech described the three in 2019 as "all veterans of military cyber units", and CyberScoop reported that Belkind's biography said "he was a member of the Israeli military's famed technology team, Unit 8200" (Unit 8200).[3][4] In January 2026 Torq raised $140 million at a valuation of $1.2 billion.[1]
Founders and military service
Ctech reported in 2026 that "Torq was founded in 2020 by Ofer Smadari (CEO), Leonid Belkind (CTO), and Eldad Livni (CINO), all veterans of the cybersecurity and enterprise technology sectors".[1] Its earlier report on their first company, Luminate Security, described the same three men as "all veterans of military cyber units who have worked at Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. and at cloud security startup Adallom" (Check Point Software Technologies; Adallom).[3] CyberScoop wrote: "Belkind's biography says he was a member of the Israeli military's famed technology team, Unit 8200."[4]
According to Insight Partners, the founders had identified the opportunity by December 2019, after selling Luminate, and raised $8 million in seed funding in January 2020.[2]
Funding
Insight Partners led a $50 million Series B round in December 2021 and a $42 million extension at the start of 2024, followed by a $70 million Series C in September 2024.[2] In January 2026 Torq announced a $140 million Series D led by Merlin Ventures, valuing it at $1.2 billion and bringing its total funding to $332 million. The company said that the round would help it expand "into the U.S. Federal Market".[5] Ctech reported that Merlin's experience was expected to help it in "U.S. federal and public-sector markets", and that Torq employed more than 350 people, with its US headquarters in New York, its main development centre in Tel Aviv, and offices in Japan, Germany, Amsterdam and London.[1]
See also
- Luminate Security
- Unit 8200
- Cyber and tech firms founded by ex Unit 8200 or occupation forces veterans
External links
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Meir Orbach, Cyber startup Torq joins unicorn ranks after $140 million raise at $1.2 billion valuation Ctech, 11 January 2026, accessed 10 November 2026.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Insight Partners, How Torq is leading the autonomous SecOps revolution Insight Partners, accessed 10 November 2026.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Meir Orbach, Symantec Acquires Security Startup Luminate Ctech, 12 February 2019, accessed 10 November 2026.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Joe Warminsky, With eyes squarely on the cloud, Symantec acquires Israeli network security firm Luminate CyberScoop, 12 February 2019, accessed 10 November 2026.
- ↑ Torq, Torq Secures $140M Series D at $1.2B Valuation to Lead the AI SOC and Agentic AI Era Torq, 12 January 2026, accessed 10 November 2026.