How Sebastian Kurz Built a $3 Billion Cybersecurity Startup

https://www.businessinsider.com/how-sebastian-kurz-built-a-3-billion-cybersecurity-startup-2026-6

Publish Date: 2026-06-18 10:38:00

Sebastian Kurz once worked out of Austria’s chancellery on Vienna’s Ballhausplatz, an imposing government building that resembles a Baroque palace. Today, he welcomes visitors to a sleek glass office tower that blends seamlessly into Tel Aviv’s skyline.

The contrast between the two workplaces couldn’t be greater. What hasn’t changed is Kurz’s relentless ambition — or the remarkable speed with which he continues to rack up achievements.

At 27, Kurz became Austria’s foreign minister. At 31, he became the country’s youngest-ever chancellor. Now, at 39, he has emerged as one of Europe’s and Israel’s most prominent startup founders.

His company, DREAM, announced on Thursday a new $260 million funding round, bringing its valuation to $3 billion. The Series C financing marks a major milestone for the startup, which was founded three and a half years ago. The round was led by Bicycle Capital and Group 11, with participation from Bain Capital, Tru Arrow Partners, alongside investor James Rothschild, Norway’s Antler, and several other global investors.

Many founders would be floating through the hallways after securing investors of that caliber and a $3 billion valuation. But neither Kurz nor his Israeli cofounder, Shalev Hulio, shows much interest in celebrating.

The two move briskly through DREAM’s stylish Tel Aviv headquarters before sitting down in Hulio’s office. Their tone is almost understated.

“When we started this company from scratch three and a half years ago, we had no way of knowing whether it would work,” Kurz says. “Now we’re incredibly happy that we get to keep building it.”

Then, for a brief moment, the entrepreneur sounds a bit like the politician he once was.

“More important than our personal success is the value we can create for entire nations.”

Kurz is convinced that artificial intelligence will fundamentally reshape the future of cyber…

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