Palo Alto Networks paid $500M for Thrive-backed Console, sources say

Palo Alto Networks acquired the AI-powered help-desk startup Console for $500 million in cash and stock, paying a price that exceeds Console’s $157 million valuation. Console, founded in 2024 by Andrei Serban, automates routine IT tasks such as password resets and app access, and will be integrated into Palo Alto’s Cortex platform to enable natural-language-driven security investigations. The deal follows Palo Alto’s series of 2026 acquisitions, including Chronosphere and Koi, and gives the company a new tool to deliver autonomous security outcomes across enterprises.