Acquisition: “Palo Alto Networks acquires Console”
Console, a two-year-old startup that uses AI agents to automate routine IT help desk tasks, was acquired by Palo Alto Networks for $500 million in cash and stock, according to sources. The companies announced the acquisition but did not disclose terms beyond the reported price.
Palo Alto Networks said it will integrate Console into Cortex, its platform that uses AI to automatically detect and neutralize threats. Console’s agentic functionality will allow security teams to investigate and resolve alerts using natural language.
Console was founded in 2024 by Andrei Serban, shortly after his previous startup, code-security platform Fuzzbuzz, was acquired by Rippling. The company’s customers included Ramp, Flock Safety and Scale AI. As a product, Console automated tasks such as password resets, granting access to applications like Figma and Miro, and routine troubleshooting without direct human involvement.
Since its founding, Console raised $29 million across two rounds: a $6.2 million seed led by Thrive Capital and a $23 million Series A co-led by DST Global and Thrive. Before the sale, Console was valued at $157 million, delivering a rapid return for investors including SV Angel, Abstract Ventures and Palo Alto Networks CEO Nikesh Arora, who participated as an angel investor.
Palo Alto Networks said the acquisition will be used to integrate Console’s capabilities into Cortex to enhance automated threat detection and response across the enterprise. The deal is the company’s seventh acquisition in 2026, following purchases that include observability platform Chronosphere and cyber startup Koi.
“the arms and legs to deliver autonomous security outcomes across the entire enterprise,” as Arora described.
