Rome-based Exein Hits $1.7 Billion Valuation Targeting Physical AI

The company’s growth trajectory has been explosive, with its valuation climbing thirty-fold since its Series B round two years ago. CEO Gianni Cuozzo attributes this success to a foundational philosophy: every device must possess the inherent capability to defend itself, regardless of network connectivity. This approach has already secured over 2 billion devices across critical sectors including aerospace, energy, and semiconductor manufacturing.

Exein is now leveraging its new capital to scale operations in the U.S. and Asia Pacific, regions that currently account for half of its revenue. Beyond hiring, the company plans to pursue strategic acquisitions to round out its product portfolio. A key development on the horizon is a foundational model for physical AI security, currently being trained on machine data and telemetrics for an expected Q1 2027 release. This initiative comes as Cuozzo reports a surge in machine-speed attacks, exacerbated by the proliferation of unchecked open-source AI models. With the European Union’s Cyber Resilience Act now imposing stricter safety mandates on manufacturers, Exein is positioning itself as a primary beneficiary of the continent's hardening regulatory environment.