OpenAI acquires Promptfoo to secure its AI agents

In Brief Posted: 10:49 AM PDT · March 9, 2026 Image Credits:Alex Wong / Getty Images Tim Fernholz OpenAI acquires Promptfoo to secure its AI agents OpenAI announced Monday it has acquired Promptfoo, an AI security startup founded in 2024 to protect LLMs from online adversaries. The frontier lab said in a blog post that once the deal closes, Promptfoo’s technology will be integrated into OpenAI Frontier, its enterprise platform for AI agents. The development of independent AI agents that perform digital tasks has generated excitement about productivity gains. But it’s also given bad actors fresh opportunities to access sensitive data or manipulate automated systems. This deal underscores how frontier labs are scrambling to prove their technology can be used safely in critical business operations. Promptfoo was founded by Ian Webster and Michael D’Angelo to develop tools that companies can use to test security vulnerabilities in LLMs, including an open-source interface and library. The company reports that its products are used by more than 25% of Fortune 500 companies. Promptfoo has raised just $23 million since its founding, and was valued at $86 million after its most recent round in July 2025, according to Pitchbook. OpenAI did not disclose the value of the transaction. OpenAI’s post said Promptfoo’s technology will allow its agent platform to perform automated red-teaming, evaluate agentic workflows for security concerns, and monitor activities for risks and compliance needs. The company also said it expects to continue building out Promptfoo’s open-source offering. Techcrunch event Disrupt 2026: The tech ecosystem, all in one room Your next round. Your next hire. Your next breakout opportunity. Find it at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, where 10,000+ founders, investors, and tech leaders gather for three days of 250+ tactical sessions, powerful introductions, and market-defining innovation. Register now to save up to $400. Save up to $300 or 30% to TechCrunch Founder Summit 1,000+ founders and investors come together at TechCrunch Founder Summit 2026 for a full day focused on growth, execution, and real-world scaling. Learn from founders and investors who have shaped the industry. Connect with peers navigating similar growth stages. Walk away with tactics you can apply immediatelyOffer ends March 13. San Francisco, CA | October 13-15, 2026 REGISTER NOW Topics agentic ai, AI, OpenAI, Security, security June 9 Boston, MA Actively scaling? Fundraising? Planning your next launch?TechCrunch Founder Summit 2026 delivers tactical playbooks and direct access to 1,000+ founders and investors who are building, backing, and closing.Register by March 13 to save up to $300. REGISTER NOW Newsletters See More Subscribe for the industry’s biggest tech news TechCrunch Daily News Every weekday and Sunday, you can get the best of TechCrunch’s coverage. TechCrunch Mobility TechCrunch Mobility is your destination for transportation news and insight.

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