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Netskope hits $8.8B valuation as shares soar in Nasdaq debut

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Cybersecurity company Netskope reached a valuation of $8.79 billion on Thursday after its shares jumped 21% in their Nasdaq debut, extending a strong run of tech IPOs this year.

The Santa Clara-based firm’s stock opened at $23, well above the $19 offer price. Netskope raised $908.2 million by selling 47.8 million shares at the top of its $17–$19 range, in an offering that was oversubscribed 20 times, according to CEO Sanjay Beri.

Investor appetite for new issues has surged, with recent listings such as design software firm Figma (FIG.N) drawing strong demand. Netskope’s debut comes as enterprises step up cybersecurity spending amid rising AI-driven threats.

“AI is kind of right in our wheelhouse—securing it, enabling companies to say yes to leveraging it by putting guardrails around it,” Beri told Reuters, adding that going public will help boost Netskope’s visibility.

Founded in 2012, Netskope offers cloud-based security solutions that protect apps, websites, and data. The company was last valued at over $7.5 billion in a 2021 round led by ICONIQ. Its competitors include Palo Alto Networks (PANW.O) and Zscaler (ZS.O).

Analysts caution that Netskope’s long-term success will hinge on profitability, execution, and broader market conditions. “Cybersecurity remains one of the few tech sectors with clear structural demand, yet recent IPO performances have been mixed,” said Kat Liu of IPOX.

While Rubrik (RBRK.N) shares have surged since their debut last year, SailPoint (SAIL.O) has struggled to trade above its offer price. Netskope’s performance will be closely watched as a bellwether for the sector.

Palantir Warns Against DeepSeek AI, Projects Strong 2025 Revenue

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Palantir has advised its clients, particularly those in the U.S. government, against using AI models developed by Chinese startup DeepSeek, citing security concerns. Chief Revenue Officer Ryan Taylor stated that no U.S. government entity would be able to use DeepSeek’s technology. His comments follow reports that federal agencies, including NASA, have banned the use of DeepSeek’s AI.

Despite these concerns, Palantir reported strong financial projections, forecasting first-quarter and full-year revenue above Wall Street expectations. The company expects 2025 revenue to range between $3.74 billion and $3.76 billion, surpassing analysts’ estimates of $3.52 billion. This optimistic outlook drove Palantir’s stock up 22% in extended trading.

More than 40% of Palantir’s fourth-quarter sales came from the U.S. government, reflecting its deep ties to federal agencies. Analyst Gil Luria noted that Palantir’s strategic vision aligns well with current government priorities. However, the company is actively expanding its commercial sector presence, projecting a 54% increase in U.S. business revenue to over $1.8 billion in 2025.

Palantir’s AI platform, AIP, has gained traction as businesses seek to deploy generative AI for testing, debugging, and scenario analysis. Additionally, Taylor suggested that the expanded tariffs announced by former President Trump could boost demand for Palantir’s supply-chain and logistics analytics.

For the fourth quarter, Palantir reported adjusted earnings of 14 cents per share, beating analysts’ expectations of 11 cents. It also forecast first-quarter revenue between $858 million and $862 million, well above the estimated $799.4 million.

 

Taiwan Bans Government Use of DeepSeek AI Over Security Concerns

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Taiwan’s Ministry of Digital Affairs announced on Friday that government departments are prohibited from using DeepSeek, a Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) service, citing national security risks. The ministry warned that DeepSeek’s operations involve cross-border data transmission, raising concerns about potential information leaks.

Given Beijing’s sovereignty claims over Taiwan and ongoing political and military tensions, Taiwanese authorities remain cautious about Chinese technology. The digital ministry emphasized that it will continue monitoring technological developments and adjust cybersecurity policies as necessary to safeguard national security.

This development follows similar concerns raised internationally. South Korea’s information privacy watchdog has stated plans to question DeepSeek regarding its data handling practices. Meanwhile, regulatory authorities in France, Italy, and Ireland are also examining the company’s use of personal information.

DeepSeek’s rapid rise has sparked global scrutiny. By Monday, its free AI assistant had surpassed OpenAI’s ChatGPT in downloads from Apple’s App Store. The surge in DeepSeek’s popularity coincided with a sharp decline in U.S. tech stocks, leading to a record $593 billion market value loss for Nvidia in a single day.