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Descope

Los Altos, California, USA Cybersecurity Private

Descope is a developer-first customer identity and access management (CIAM) platform that helps organizations add passwordless authentication, single sign-on, multi-factor authentication, and user management to their applications via a drag-and-drop visual workflow builder and SDKs. The company was founded in 2022 by the core team that previously built Demisto (acquired by Palo Alto Networks for $560M in 2019), including Slavik Markovich (CEO), Rishi Bhargava, Dan Sarel, Doron Sharon, and Meir Wahnon. Descope positions itself as a modern alternative to Auth0 and Okta CIC, targeting B2B and B2C software companies that want to externalize authentication while reducing engineering overhead. The platform supports passkeys, social login, magic links, OTP, biometric authentication, OIDC/SAML, and increasingly identity for AI agents and agentic workflows.

Overview

Company data and valuation marks are estimates and may be incomplete, stale, erroneous, or revised.

Founded

2022

Employees

51–200

Total Funding

$88M

2 rounds

Latest Valuation

$0.5B

October 2025

Funding

Total raised $88M across 2 rounds

Funding data and valuation marks are estimates and may be incomplete, stale, erroneous, or revised.

Last updated 06-25-2026

Latest Round

Type

Seed Extension

Date

October 2025

Amount

$35M

Valuation

$0.5B

Lead Investors

Notable CapitalLightspeed Venture Partners
DateRoundAmount RaisedValuationLead Investors
October 2025 Seed Extension $35M $0.5B Notable Capital, Lightspeed Venture Partners
February 15, 2023 Seed $53M Lightspeed Venture Partners, GGV Capital

Prominent Investors

GGV Capital J Ventures Silicon Valley CISO Investments Tech Aviv Unusual Ventures Lightspeed Venture Partners Cerca Dell Technologies Capital

Leadership

  • Slavik Markovich

    Co-Founder & CEO

    LinkedIn
  • Rishi Bhargava

    Co-Founder

  • Dan Sarel

    Co-Founder

  • Doron Sharon

    Co-Founder

  • Meir Wahnon

    Co-Founder

Competitors

Competitor list is illustrative and may be incomplete, stale, or erroneous.

  • Auth0 (Okta CIC)

    Customer identity unit of Okta and the legacy incumbent in developer-focused CIAM; Descope explicitly positions itself as a faster, lower-TCO alternative.

  • Stytch

    Developer-first passwordless and B2B authentication platform; direct competitor in modern API-driven CIAM.

  • Frontegg

    B2B SaaS user management and authentication platform competing for the same developer-platform CIAM buyer.

  • FusionAuth

    Self-hostable CIAM platform targeting developers; competes on flexibility and on-prem deployment.

  • WorkOS

    Enterprise-readiness API platform (SSO, SCIM, audit logs) overlapping with Descope's B2B authentication offering.

  • Clerk

    Developer-first user management and authentication platform popular with React/Next.js developers.

Descope Investment FAQ

Public status and buying access

No. Descope is a private company and does not have a public stock ticker or trade on a public stock exchange. Its shares are generally held by founders, employees, investors, and other private shareholders. Buyers and sellers may be able to transact in Descope shares through private secondary transactions, but any transaction depends on share availability, buyer and seller agreement, transfer restrictions, company approval rights, and any applicable right of first refusal. There is no guarantee that Descope will complete an IPO or other liquidity event.

Yes, it is sometimes possible to buy Descope shares pre-IPO through private secondary transactions. This depends on finding a willing seller, company approval, and satisfying any transfer restrictions or rights of first refusal.

Buyers interested in buying Descope shares on the secondary market typically do so through SetterVC and other secondary-market platforms, subject to eligibility requirements, share availability, transfer restrictions, and issuer approval. Buyers may need to satisfy sophistication, accreditation, institutional, platform, regulatory, or other eligibility requirements before participating. Once eligible, buyers may be able to view listings, make bids, and work with a licensed broker through the transaction process. Buyers should ensure they have appropriate legal and financial advisors guiding them before completing any transaction.

The company's latest round valuation was approximately $500M as of October 2025. The latest round valuation is often used as one reference point in secondary-market pricing, but secondary prices may be above or below that valuation at any given time. Secondary pricing can shift significantly based on post-round conditions, such as changes in company performance, supply-demand dynamics, share class, transaction size, transfer restrictions, or broader market shifts. Any implied valuation from a past round should be confirmed with a broker or through live market listings before relying on it.

Valuation and funding

Descope was most recently valued at approximately $500M as of October 2025. This is a private valuation and may differ from secondary pricing. Secondary shares may trade above or below this mark based on various factors. SetterVC and Setter Capital does not verify the accuracy of these valuations. Buyers and sellers should always confirm current valuations before completing any transaction.

SetterVC currently shows one valuation mark for Descope based on funding rounds, tender offers, secondary-market indications, and other reported or collected valuation marks. Descope's valuation was approximately $500M as of October 2025. Secondary-market prices may differ from this valuation based on share class, transaction size, transfer restrictions, supply and demand, company performance, and broader market conditions. SetterVC and Setter Capital does not verify the accuracy or completeness of valuation data, and buyers and sellers should confirm current information before relying on it.

Descope's latest disclosed funding round was a Seed Extension round in October 2025. The round raised approximately $35M at an approximately $500M valuation, with Notable Capital and Lightspeed Venture Partners listed as disclosed lead or major investors. Primary funding rounds are different from secondary transactions: in a primary round, capital goes to the company, while in a secondary transaction, investors buy existing shares from current shareholders. Funding-round data reflects publicly reported or collected information and may be incomplete. The latest round valuation should be confirmed before it is used as a pricing reference.

Descope has raised approximately $88M in disclosed funding across 2 rounds. These figures reflect primary capital raised by the company and do not include every possible secondary transaction, undisclosed round, debt facility, or private transfer. Reported funding totals can change as new rounds are announced or older round details are corrected. Eligible users can use SetterVC to track Descope's funding history alongside private-market activity where available.

Descope's disclosed investors include GGV Capital, J Ventures, Silicon Valley CISO Investments, Tech Aviv, Unusual Ventures and Lightspeed Venture Partners. Investor lists are based on public reporting, company announcements, and collected funding-round data, and may be incomplete. Participation in a prior funding round does not mean those investors are currently buying or selling shares. On SetterVC, eligible users can review Descope's funding history, valuation history, and private-market activity alongside other venture-backed companies.

Market context

Descope's most-cited competitors include Auth0 (Okta CIC), Stytch, Frontegg, FusionAuth, WorkOS and Clerk. Investors often compare these companies by sector, product focus, valuation, funding raised, growth signals, investor base, and private-market activity.

Secondary-market demand for Descope shares can be affected by company performance, revenue growth, profitability, funding history, valuation, investor interest, sector momentum, public-market conditions, expected timing of a liquidity event, and the availability of shares for sale. Demand can also be affected by transfer restrictions, company approval rights, right of first refusal processes, limited information, and the price expectations of buyers and sellers. Strong demand does not guarantee strong pricing, liquidity, or investment returns. Weak demand does not necessarily reflect the company's long-term prospects. Demand signals should not be treated as a recommendation or prediction of investment performance. Buyers and sellers should treat demand signals as informational and conduct their own diligence before transacting.

Selling and transaction mechanics

Sellers often rely on intermediaries and platforms, such as SetterVC and other secondary-market platforms, to identify potential buyers. The exact process varies by company and transaction, but sellers often begin by confirming their ownership, desired price, transferability, and any company approval or notice requirements. If the seller agrees with a buyer on acceptable price and terms, the company may need to be notified through a share transfer notice or similar process. If a right of first refusal, company approval right, or other transfer restriction applies, the seller may need to wait until that process is completed. The parties may then execute a purchase and sale agreement, complete required transfer documentation, and close if all required conditions are satisfied. Sellers should always seek proper legal and financial advice before completing the transaction.

Yes, current and former Descope employees, early investors, and other existing shareholders may be able to sell vested shares before an IPO through a private secondary sale. This is not automatic; it depends on whether the shareholder has transferable shares, whether there is buyer demand, and whether the company's governing documents permit the transfer. Many companies require prior notice, company approval, or a right of first refusal before shares can be sold. Sellers should also seek proper legal and financial advice before proceeding.

A Descope secondary transaction usually involves an existing shareholder selling shares to a buyer before a public listing. The buyer and seller typically agree on price, number of shares, share class, and closing conditions. The seller may then need to notify Descope through a share transfer notice or similar process. If Descope or existing investors have approval rights, transfer restrictions, or a right of first refusal, those steps may need to be completed before the transfer can close. The parties typically enter into a purchase and sale agreement, complete any required transfer documentation, and close only if the necessary conditions are satisfied. Timing and certainty can vary by company and transaction.

In most private secondary transactions, parties commonly use a purchase and sale agreement that outlines price, terms, and conditions. They may also use share transfer documentation, often a stock transfer notice, share transfer notice, transfer instruction, or similar document, along with any required company approval or right of first refusal materials. Proof of ownership, such as a cap table entry, share certificate, brokerage statement, issuer confirmation, or administrator confirmation, may also be important. Buyers often request recent company financials, but private companies may limit disclosure. Since every deal varies, buyers and sellers should consult legal and financial advisors to understand which documents are needed.

Risk, diligence, and investor caution

Buying Descope shares pre-IPO is risky. Shares are illiquid, no IPO or liquidity event is guaranteed, valuations can change, transfers may require company approval, and private companies may provide limited financial disclosure. Be prepared for total loss. SetterVC and Setter Capital do not provide due diligence, legal, tax, accounting, valuation, or investment advice. Buyers must conduct their own due diligence, verify information, and seek independent legal and investment advice before proceeding.

Private secondary shares are typically illiquid. Unlike public stocks, there is no active public market, so selling them can be difficult and time-consuming. Sales depend on finding a willing buyer and often require company approval. Investors should be prepared to hold the shares for an extended period, with no guarantee of a future sale. Always assess your need for liquidity before investing.

SetterVC and Setter Capital do not provide due diligence, legal, tax, accounting, valuation, or investment advice. Buyers must conduct their own due diligence, including verifying ownership, transferability, legal structure, company approval, and assessing the company's prospects. SetterVC and Setter Capital do not provide advice on whether an investment is good, what price to pay, or what the best bid or ask is. SetterVC and Setter Capital may share documents in some circumstances, but it does not guarantee their accuracy or completeness. Due diligence is essential. Seek legal and investment advice as needed.

Before buying Descope shares, a buyer should try to review the share class, price per share, implied valuation, transfer restrictions, ROFR process, company approval rights, seller ownership evidence, recent financing or tender-offer information, available financial information, information rights, resale restrictions, tax considerations, and expected liquidity paths. Not all information may be available for a private company. Buyers should confirm available diligence, process details, and information needs with their own legal, tax, and investment advisers.

SPVs carry risks. Examples include the need to confirm the company allows SPV-based transfers, verify that the SPV truly owns the shares or interests it claims to own, and ensure it has not sold more interests than it holds. Due diligence is essential. Seek legal and investment advice as needed.

Forward contracts carry risks. Examples include the seller refusing to transfer the shares at the future date, even if the seller owns them, the seller going bankrupt with creditors claiming the shares, or the seller committing the same shares to multiple parties. Due diligence is essential. Seek legal and investment advice as needed.

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