Layer8 Co., Ltd. has been selected for the 15th cohort of 1stRound, a startup growth support program co-organized by academic institutions.
Our Work at Layer8
Layer8 develops Trident, a pentest AI that searches for vulnerabilities in web applications from an attacker’s perspective and validates the conditions under which attacks can succeed and their impact.
In field tests using Trident, we validated vulnerabilities in live systems operated by companies and organizations. From July to September 2026, a total of 568 reports were accepted across 50 programs, including the U.S. Department of Defense’s vulnerability disclosure program.
We conduct this work through HackerOne, a platform where companies and organizations accept vulnerability reports. Our research account using Trident ranked first worldwide on the vulnerability disclosure program (VDP) leaderboard for Q3 2026.
Layer8 combines this technology with reviews by security experts to provide penetration testing for businesses. We aim to reduce the cost and time required for testing, enabling companies to continuously validate security as they develop and update their systems.
About 1stRound
1stRound is a startup growth support program co-organized by UTokyo Innovation Platform Co., Ltd. (UTokyo IPC) and universities and research institutions in Japan. Selected startups receive equity-free funding, expert support for commercialization, and opportunities to collaborate with companies.
1stRound 15th Cohort Selection Announcement (UTokyo IPC)
With this support, Layer8 will expand Trident’s commercial deployment to help companies detect vulnerabilities early and continuously validate their security.
If you are interested in penetration testing, joint validation projects, or technical collaboration using Trident, please reach out through our contact form.
