Belgian cybersecurity startup Aikido Security claimed the top spot in Sifted's 100: France and Benelux Leaderboard, posting a 947.14% two-year revenue growth. The Ghent-based firm outpaced Paris's Mister IA (558.28% CAGR) and Inbolt (508.28% CAGR) in the annual ranking of fastest-growing companies. Co-founded in 2022, Aikido simplifies cybersecurity procurement with transparent online pricing and documentation, addressing the challenge of competing with US and Israeli cyber giants.

The leaderboard evaluates 100 private companies with proprietary tech revenue exceeding €100k, using two-year compound annual growth rates. Paris maintains dominance with 64 startups—up 5% from last year—while B2B software remains the top-performing vertical at 37 companies. AI-native firms surged to 21 entrants, up from five in 2024, reflecting rapid adoption. Thirty-three ranked startups report profitability, including Amsterdam's Mews with a recent €277m Series D.

Aikido's explosive growth stems from democratizing enterprise security tools through intuitive platforms. The company's approach tackles traditional barriers where buyers previously needed multiple sales calls for demos. While Paris leads with 64 startups, Amsterdam contributes eight and Antwerp/Brussels each host three. The ranking highlights European tech's maturation beyond traditional sectors into specialized software and AI infrastructure.

Sifted selected companies meeting strict criteria: private status, €10k minimum base revenue, and three years of financial data. Applications closed May 31, 2026, with research conducted by Sifted's team verifying submissions. The leaderboard excludes public companies and those generating majority revenue from non-proprietary sources, ensuring focus on genuine high-growth startups.