Zania, an emerging leader in AI-powered security risk and compliance automation, has secured $18 million in Series A funding to accelerate its mission of helping enterprises navigate complex risk management challenges. The round was led by New Enterprise Associates (NEA), with participation from Anthology Fund, Palm Drive Capital, and senior executives from Amazon, Airbnb, PayPal, ByteDance, Reddit, Roblox, and PwC.

Founded by Shruti Gupta, Zania is building an AI agent platform that automates compliance audits, control testing, and risk assessments- processes that traditionally take weeks- delivering actionable results in minutes. With this funding, the company is positioned to scale its platform, expand into global markets, and strengthen its AI-driven security intelligence capabilities.

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The Rising Complexity of Security & Compliance

For enterprises, compliance is no longer just a box-checking exercise- it’s a critical component of business resilience and trust. Organizations must comply with a growing number of regulations: GDPR, CCPA, HIPAA, SOC 2, ISO 27001, PCI-DSS, and sector-specific requirements that vary across industries and regions.

The problem is scale. According to a report by Deloitte, 90% of executives say compliance demands have increased dramatically in the last three years, while 53% admit they lack the tools to manage compliance efficiently. Manual processes remain dominant, and reliance on human audits slows down innovation and exposes companies to risk.

This is where Zania steps in. By deploying AI agents that automate security and compliance workflows, Zania reduces the time required for audits from weeks to minutes while improving accuracy. This approach not only mitigates risk but also empowers enterprises to remain agile in fast-changing regulatory environments.

And here’s the hidden insight founders should recognize: Zania didn’t just build a tool- it reframed compliance as a growth enabler rather than a cost center. Most startups pitch efficiency, but Zania showed that faster, automated compliance means faster market entry, quicker customer onboarding, and fewer delays in closing enterprise deals. That’s a revenue story, not just a risk story. Founders who can reposition their product this way- turning something perceived as “back-office” into a front-line driver of speed and growth- unlock a different level of investor conviction.

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Why Investors Are Backing Zania

The Series A round highlights investor conviction that AI is set to transform enterprise compliance in the same way it has already disrupted marketing, sales, and customer service.

For NEA and other backers, Zania represents more than just a compliance tool- it’s an infrastructure-level solution for enterprise risk management. With global cyber threats intensifying and regulators tightening enforcement, the demand for scalable, intelligent compliance technology has never been higher.

The new funding will allow Zania to:

• Enhance its AI platform, with advanced natural language processing and predictive analytics for faster compliance mapping.
  
• Expand its customer base, targeting industries with the most stringent security demands, including finance, healthcare, and technology.
  
• Scale globally, building teams in North America, Europe, and Asia to support multinational clients.
  
• Deepen partnerships, particularly with cloud service providers and enterprise SaaS platforms to integrate seamlessly into customer workflows.
  

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The Market Outlook for AI in Compliance

The timing of Zania’s raise couldn’t be better. The market for compliance automation is expanding rapidly as organizations grapple with escalating risks and evolving regulations.

• The global GRC (Governance, Risk, and Compliance) platform market is projected to reach $134 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 12% (Allied Market Research).
  
• Spending on AI in cybersecurity is forecast to hit $133.8 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 22.5% (MarketsandMarkets).
  
• According to PwC, 55% of organizations faced increased regulatory pressure in 2024, up from 39% in 2021, making compliance a top boardroom priority.
  
• Gartner predicts that by 2026, 40% of enterprises will rely on AI-driven compliance solutions as traditional models prove unsustainable.
  

This explosive growth trajectory shows why investors are eager to back companies like Zania. Enterprises are searching for scalable, intelligent solutions that don’t just manage compliance but transform it into a competitive advantage.

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What’s Next for Zania

With $18 million in new capital, Zania is focused on accelerating its roadmap and capturing market share in the fast-growing AI compliance category. The company’s next steps include:

• Product Innovation: Developing advanced AI modules capable of proactive risk monitoring and real-time compliance updates.
  
• Industry Expansion: Targeting high-regulation verticals such as fintech, healthcare, and government contracting.
  
• Global Scale: Establishing regional hubs to meet compliance needs across North America, Europe, and APAC.
  
• Thought Leadership: Building a strong knowledge base and community around AI in compliance, cementing Zania as a category-defining leader.
  

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Conclusion

The $18 million Series A round is a defining moment for Zania and its mission to bring AI-driven intelligence to security risk and compliance. With support from NEA, Palm Drive Capital, Anthology Fund, and leaders from global tech giants, Zania is not just automating compliance- it’s reinventing how enterprises approach risk management in the AI era.

For founders, the message is clear: the biggest fundraising wins happen when you reposition your solution from solving pain points to accelerating growth. Zania proved that compliance, when reframed, isn’t about red tape- it’s about speed to revenue. That shift is what convinced top investors that its technology is indispensable.

As regulatory demands increase and cyber threats grow more sophisticated, Zania is poised to become the AI backbone of enterprise compliance worldwide.

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