Palo Alto Networks acquires AI startup Console for $500 million, TechCrunch reports
Palo Alto Networks has acquired startup Console, which develops AI agents to automate routine tasks for technical support teams. According to TechCrunch, the deal was worth $500 million in cash and stock. Two people familiar with the details of the agreement told the publication about its terms.
The companies officially announced the acquisition on Tuesday but did not disclose financial details. Palo Alto Networks declined to comment on the deal.
Integration with Cortex
Palo Alto Networks plans to integrate Console into its Cortex platform, which uses artificial intelligence to automatically detect and neutralize threats. Console's AI agent capabilities are expected to allow security specialists to investigate and resolve alerts using natural-language queries.
Palo Alto Networks CEO Nikesh Arora said in a company statement that this should strengthen Cortex's capabilities to deliver autonomous security outcomes at enterprise scale.
Console investments and customers
Console was founded in 2024. Since then, the company has raised $29 million in two funding rounds: a $6.2 million seed round led by Thrive Capital and a $23 million Series A round co-led by DST Global and Thrive. Before the sale, the startup was valued at $157 million, according to PitchBook.
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Console's investors included SV Angel, Abstract Ventures and Nikesh Arora, who invested in the startup as an angel investor. The company's founder is Andrei Serban, whose previous code security startup, Fuzzbuzz, was acquired by Rippling.
Console's customers included Ramp, Flock Safety and Scale AI. The startup's technology automated password resets, granting access to Figma and Miro applications, as well as standard technical troubleshooting without direct human intervention.
Seventh acquisition in 2026
According to PitchBook, Console became Palo Alto Networks' seventh acquisition in 2026. Other venture-backed companies acquired by the cybersecurity company this year include observability platform Chronosphere, valued at $3.35 billion, and cyber startup Koi, for which it paid $400 million.
Before the deal, Console mainly competed with Serval, another ServiceNow competitor in IT service automation. Last December, Serval reached a $1 billion valuation following a $75 million Series B round led by Sequoia. The company began as an AI support tool and later expanded its products to HR, legal and finance departments.
