Canadian AI company Cohere has signed a letter of intent to acquire Aisle, a Prague-based startup that uses AI to find and fix software security flaws. The Cohere Aisle acquisition would create a new division called Cohere Cyber. Financial terms were not disclosed.
What the Cohere Aisle Acquisition Includes
Aisle builds AI systems that hunt for previously unknown vulnerabilities, check its own findings, and help write fixes. The startup says it found more than 500 new vulnerabilities across more than 100 codebases in the past year.
Cohere says it will combine Aisle’s autonomous security research with its own AI models. The company argues that a strong model and a specialized system built around it can make each other better.
Cohere CEO Aidan Gomez praised Aisle’s work protecting open-source software, saying it has done better than many better-known efforts. Cohere also plans a substantial investment in Prague, turning the city into its global hub for AI cybersecurity.
Who Is Joining Cohere
Aisle’s three co-founders will take senior roles after the deal closes. They bring experience from Avast, Google DeepMind, and Anthropic.
| Person | Background | New role at Cohere |
|---|---|---|
| Ondrej Vlcek | Former CEO of Avast | Senior vice president, Cohere Cyber |
| Jaya Baloo | Aisle co-founder | Chief information security officer |
| Stanislav Fort | Previously at Anthropic and Google DeepMind | Leads AI security research |
Why Cohere Wants Aisle for AI Cybersecurity
Cohere sells AI to governments and businesses in regulated industries. Many of these customers run models on their own servers or on systems cut off from the internet, and they need strong security built in.
Cohere has also pitched itself as an alternative for buyers who do not want to depend on US tech giants or Chinese AI labs. Adding Aisle gives it a security product to sell alongside its models.
Gomez has admitted that Cohere’s models trail those of OpenAI and Anthropic, especially in coding and security. Buying a specialist team is one way to close that gap faster.
A Busy Year of Deals
Aisle is not Cohere’s first purchase in 2026. The company has been expanding quickly, particularly in Europe.
- In May, Cohere bought Reliant AI, which helps drug companies analyze research and regulatory documents.
- In September, it agreed to combine with German AI company Aleph Alpha, a deal that still needs regulatory approval.
- It is reportedly in talks to raise up to $3 billion at a $20 billion valuation, with some funding possibly coming from the Canadian and German governments.
The Bigger Picture on AI and Security
AI security has become a hot area since Anthropic’s Mythos model showed how well AI can find software flaws. Banks and other companies are now racing to patch what these tools uncover, as our story on Mythos patching work at Bank of America showed.
Investors are pouring money into the space as well. Recent rounds include Reco’s $55M raise and Harmonic Security’s funding for tools that keep AI use in check.
AI companies are learning that selling models is no longer enough; buyers want proof those models can defend themselves and the code around them.
What This Means for You
If your organization uses AI in a regulated field, this deal is a sign that vendors are bundling security directly into their AI offerings. Here is how to think about it.
- Ask AI vendors how they find and fix vulnerabilities in their own systems.
- If you run models on your own servers, look for tools that scan code automatically, not just at release time.
- Keep human reviewers in the loop, since AI-found bugs still need checking before fixes go live.
- Learn the basics in our guide on AI threat detection.
You can also browse more cybersecurity AI tools on our site, or visit our AI news page for daily updates.
Sources
This article is based on reporting from The Globe and Mail and The Logic.
Conclusion
Cohere plans to buy Aisle, an AI startup that has found hundreds of software vulnerabilities, and build a new Cohere Cyber division around it. Aisle’s founders will lead security efforts, and Prague will become Cohere’s AI security hub. The move adds to a string of European deals as Cohere tries to catch up with bigger rivals in coding and security. For businesses that want AI with security built in, Cohere now has a stronger pitch, though the deal still has to close.
