NetBird, a Berlin-based company developing an open-source network security solution, has raised €4 million in seed funding. The funding round was co-led by InReach Ventures and existing investor Nauta, with participation from Antler and a grant from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, showcasing support from both private and public institutions.
The company plans to accelerate its hiring efforts, further product development, and expand its footprint globally, continuing its disruption of the network security market. And the widespread adoption of hybrid work has significantly transformed network security, moving from traditional perimeter-based defenses to Zero Trust architectures. This approach, based on the principle of never trust, always verify, ensures continuous authentication for all users and devices, mitigating remote access risks.
A major driver of this growth has been the promotion by large cybersecurity vendors, who have extensively utilized the term in marketing campaigns. While it has raised awareness, And it has also contributed to a buzz surrounding Zero Trust Networking.
NetBird was created by Misha Bragin and Maycon Santos, two engineers passionate about network security and open-source development. Their journey began in Brazil while working at PSafe, a cybersecurity startup later acquired by CyberLabs. And after moving to Berlin, they participated in a founder residency run by Antler, the most active early-stage VC in Europe and reunited to develop a side project focused on end-to-end encryption and secure data transfer – which soon evolved into NetBird.
The company’s goals are grounded in a simple yet powerful belief: secure private networking is a fundamental right of every modern company. And at the heart of its technology is a zero-configuration business VPN that seamlessly integrates a peer-to-peer WireGuard-based network with an intuitive access control system. Unlike traditional solutions that need complex configurations, it enables administrators to manage access with simple controls, group teams and infrastructure, and define rules to limit lateral movement, making advanced security accessible even to non-technical users.
Since launching on GitHub in 2021, NetBird has gained momentum among thousands of companies, seeking to securely connect users and devices worldwide. And the open-source community-driven approach has been a major driver of NetBirds’s success.
KEY QUOTES:
“The open-source community has been incredibly supportive, and that feedback loop allows us to innovate quickly. We listen to our users, and their input helps us make network security better for everyone.”
– CTO and co-founder of NetBird Maycon Santos
“This funding round is a significant milestone for NetBird. Together with a small team of incredibly talented engineers, we’ve built an open-source platform that reflects the needs of today’s connected world and sets the foundation for the secure networks of tomorrow. We’re at the right time to scale our mission, as the Zero Trust security market is rapidly growing, and we’re excited to lead the charge in making these advanced technologies accessible to organizations of all sizes. Our mission has always been to level the playing field, ensuring that when engineers think about secure connectivity, NetBird is the first solution that comes to mind. This commitment has already been showcased, as our platform has connected hundreds of thousands of users and devices from customers around the world. With this investment, we’re ready to accelerate our mission, expand globally, and redefine what secure network access can look like for the modern world.”
– Co-founder and CEO at NetBird Misha Bragin
“The rise of remote working and distributed infrastructure has driven significant change to the security requirements for businesses of all kinds. Many have turned to VPNs as a solution to secure their employees’ access to confidential or protected information, but many VPNs are inefficient, costly and act as a single point of failure for even the largest companies. NetBird solves these challenges by combining a Mesh-VPN architecture with Zero Trust Network Access Controls, providing a solution which is more efficient, cheaper and more secure than a traditional VPN. We’re lucky enough to have been part of the journey so far and are delighted to be backing Misha, Maycon and the team once again as they grow NetBird.”
– Carles Ferrer, General Partner at Nauta
“NetBird’s approach redefines what’s possible in network security. While traditional solutions force companies to choose between security and simplicity, NetBird proves you can have both and do it brilliantly. The way that NetBird has managed to break down complex network security into a beautifully simple, user-friendly product is really inspiring. With their open-source approach, Misha and Maycon and the NetBird team, have created something special—a vibrant community where every user feels heard and valued. We believe NetBird will fundamentally change how organizations think about and implement secure networking, setting a new industry standard. That’s why we’re not just investing in their technology but in their vision and the extraordinary team making it happen.”
– Amanda Jones Floyd, Partner at InReach Ventures
