Root

Company Overview

Snapshot

Founded in January 2020 by Ian Riopel, John Amaral, and Benji Kalman, Root operates with 11–50 employees. The company raised $37.6 million across 2 funding rounds from 7 investors. Root was acquired by Aikido Security in June 2026.

Business overview

Root.io specializes in automating container vulnerability management, offering intelligent patching solutions that eliminate the need for container rebuilds or rebasing. The platform empowers security and development teams to efficiently address vulnerabilities without disrupting deployment cycles. It provides features such as automated triage to reduce false positives, security maturity metrics, seamless integration with existing CI/CD workflows, and continuous monitoring across container environments, ensuring compliance and robust security. Root.io operates within the Business Software sector, specifically focusing on IT, R&D, and Data Solutions, with a specialization in Product Development Tools for enterprises and software development.

Strategic signal

This acquisition validates Root's technology for automated vulnerability management and suggests a growing demand for integrated security solutions within fast-paced containerized environments.

Company Intelligence Q&A

What was the most significant recent corporate development for Root?

In June 2026, Root was acquired by Aikido Security. This acquisition marks a major exit for the company, integrating its container vulnerability management automation into a larger cybersecurity entity.

When did Root raise its last disclosed funding round?

In January 2022, Root (then operating as Slim.AI) secured a funding round from lead investors StepStone Group.

Who founded Root and when?

Root was founded in January 2020 by Ian Riopel, John Amaral, and Benji Kalman.

What was Root's initial funding round?

In January 2021, Root (then Slim.AI) announced a seed funding round with participation from FXP and TechAviv Founder Partners.

What is Root's primary focus in the market?

Root.io focuses on automating container vulnerability management, providing intelligent patching to address security flaws efficiently without disrupting deployment cycles for security and development teams.