Cato Networks
Cato Networks is an Israeli cybersecurity company specializing in Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) technology, offering a cloud-native platform that integrates networking, security, and global connectivity into a unified service to enable secure access for users to applications anywhere.[1][2] Founded in 2015 in Tel Aviv, Israel, by Shlomo Kramer and Gur Shatz, the company was established to address the limitations of legacy IT infrastructure by converging disparate networking and security functions into a single, scalable cloud service.[1][3] Kramer, the co-founder and CEO, is a prominent figure in cybersecurity, having previously co-founded Check Point Software Technologies in 1993 and Imperva in 2002, both of which became industry leaders in firewall and web application security solutions.[1][4] Cato's SASE platform operates on a global private backbone with over 85 points of presence (PoPs) worldwide, providing features such as secure web gateway, firewall-as-a-service, zero-trust network access, and SD-WAN optimization to support multi-gigabit traffic inspection and threat prevention without on-premises hardware.[1][5][6] The architecture emphasizes simplicity, allowing organizations to deploy in minutes and scale elastically, while reducing costs associated with traditional branch offices and data centers.[1] Since its inception, Cato Networks has achieved rapid growth, raising over $1.16 billion in funding across multiple rounds, including a $409 million Series G investment in 2025 ($359 million in June and an additional $50 million in September) that valued the company at more than $4.8 billion.[7][3][8] In September 2025, Cato made its first acquisition by purchasing AI security firm Aim Security. Headquartered in Tel Aviv with over 1,300 employees globally as of 2025, Cato serves more than 3,500 enterprises across industries like finance, healthcare, and manufacturing, positioning itself as a pioneer in the SASE market expected to reach $15.5 billion in 2025.[9][10][11][12][13][14][15]Company Overview
Founding and Headquarters
Cato Networks was founded in 2015 in Tel Aviv, Israel, by Shlomo Kramer and Gur Shatz, two cybersecurity veterans who sought to redefine enterprise networking and security.[1][3] Shlomo Kramer, a serial entrepreneur often referred to as the "godfather of Israeli cybersecurity," brought extensive experience from his prior ventures, including co-founding Check Point Software Technologies in 1993—which pioneered firewall technology and achieved a multi-billion-dollar IPO—and Imperva in 2002, a web application security firm that went public and was later acquired for $3.6 billion.[16][1] Kramer's track record of successful exits and deep insights into evolving cyber threats directly influenced the inception of Cato Networks, positioning it as a response to the limitations of traditional IT architectures.[16] Gur Shatz, who served as co-founder and initially as chief technology officer, complemented Kramer's vision with his own expertise in cybersecurity, having previously held leadership roles at Imperva and co-founded Incapsula, a content delivery network focused on web security.[1][3] Together, the duo established the company with an initial focus on pioneering cloud-native convergence of networking and security, aiming to resolve the inefficiencies and silos inherent in legacy IT systems that hindered modern enterprise agility.[1] The headquarters of Cato Networks are located in Tel Aviv, Israel, where early operations were centered, leveraging the region's robust tech ecosystem for initial development and talent acquisition.[17][2] This Israeli base provided a strategic foundation, enabling the company to build its core innovations before pursuing global expansion and establishing additional offices worldwide.[11]Mission and Global Reach
Cato Networks' mission is to deliver a next-generation secure network architecture that eliminates the complexity, costs, and risks associated with legacy IT infrastructure by converging SD-WAN and security functions into a single, cloud-native platform.[1] This approach aims to provide organizations with a unified solution for networking and security, enabling seamless connectivity and protection without the need for disparate point products or on-premises hardware.[1] The company's strategic vision aligns closely with Gartner's Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) framework, which Cato pioneered as the world's first SASE platform in 2016—three years before the term was formally defined by Gartner.[18] By integrating networking and security services at the network edge in the cloud, Cato's platform supports zero-trust access and optimized performance for distributed workforces and applications.[19] Cato Networks maintains a global reach through operations in multiple regions, including offices in Tel Aviv, San Francisco, and Singapore, serving enterprises worldwide via its Cato Global Private Backbone.[1] This infrastructure features over 85 points of presence (PoPs) worldwide, spanning more than 30 countries, ensuring low-latency, optimized connectivity for users to applications anywhere.[6][20] The company supports more than 3,500 organizations across over 190 countries and diverse industries such as finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and retail, highlighting its emphasis on rapid deployment—often within days—and inherent scalability to handle mission-critical operations at any size.[12][3]History
Early Development and Milestones
Cato Networks initiated product development immediately following its 2015 founding, focusing on a cloud-native architecture to unify enterprise networking and security. In February 2016, the company launched the Cato Cloud, an innovative platform that reimagined network security by delivering it as a service entirely in the cloud, eliminating the need for on-premises hardware. This launch emphasized a global, any-to-any connectivity model, allowing enterprises to route traffic securely and efficiently without traditional backhauling to central data centers.[21] Building on this foundation, Cato introduced its cloud-based secure SD-WAN service in January 2017, which integrated software-defined wide area networking with built-in security features to optimize application performance and protect against threats in real time. This development addressed key limitations of legacy networks, such as siloed security tools and inefficient traffic routing, by incorporating advanced threat prevention mechanisms—like next-generation firewalls and intrusion prevention systems—directly into the cloud fabric for seamless enforcement across all locations. The platform's innovations in optimization enabled dynamic path selection and compression, reducing latency and bandwidth costs for distributed workforces.[22][23] A pivotal expansion began in 2018, when Cato significantly scaled its global infrastructure by opening additional Points of Presence (PoPs) and data centers, reaching 42 PoPs by 2019 to support low-latency service delivery worldwide. To enhance last-mile connectivity, the company forged partnerships with major telecom providers, enabling seamless integration of carrier networks into the Cato SASE Cloud for broader enterprise adoption. These efforts culminated in key milestones, including recognition as a Challenger in the inaugural 2023 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Single-Vendor SASE and subsequent elevation to Leader status in the 2024 and 2025 reports, underscoring its maturing influence in the SASE market; additionally, Cato achieved unicorn status in 2020 based on its valuation, highlighting early operational success. In October 2025, Cato was named to the 2026 Fortune Cyber 60 list for the third consecutive year.[24][25][26][27][28][29]Funding and Valuation
Cato Networks secured its initial funding through a Series A round of $20 million in October 2015, led by U.S. Venture Partners (USVP) and Aspect Ventures.[30] This early investment supported the company's foundational development following its founding earlier that year. The company has since progressed through multiple funding rounds, raising a total of over $1.16 billion across 11 rounds as of September 2025.[31] Key investors have included Lightspeed Venture Partners, Greylock Partners, SoftBank Vision Fund 2, Coatue Management, and ION Crossover Partners.[15] The following table summarizes the major funding rounds:| Round | Date | Amount | Lead Investors | Notable Other Investors | Post-Money Valuation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Series A | October 2015 | $20M | USVP, Aspect Ventures | - | Not disclosed |
| Series B | September 2016 | $30M | Greylock Partners | Singtel Innov8, USVP, Aspect Ventures | Not disclosed |
| Series C | January 2019 | $55M | Lightspeed Venture Partners | Greylock, USVP, Aspect Ventures | Not disclosed |
| Series D | April 2020 | $77M | Lightspeed Venture Partners | Greylock, USVP, Aspect Ventures | Not disclosed |
| Series E | November 2020 | $130M | Lightspeed Venture Partners | Coatue, Greylock, Aspect Ventures | Over $1B |
| Series F | October 2021 | $200M | Lightspeed Venture Partners, Swisscom Ventures | Coatue, Greylock | $2.5B |
| Later Stage (pre-Series G) | September 2023 | $238M | Lightspeed Venture Partners | SoftBank Vision Fund 2, Adams Street Partners | Over $3B |
| Series G | June 2025 | $359M | Vitruvian Partners, ION Crossover Partners | Lightspeed, SoftBank Vision Fund 2 | Over $4.8B |
| Series G Extension | September 2025 | $50M | Acrew Capital | - | Over $4.8B |