What is Alkira?
Cloud-native network infrastructure as a service for secure hybrid and multi-cloud connectivity.
- Category
- Cloud networking
- Headquarters
- San Jose, CA
- Founded
- 2018
- Employees
- Private; not disclosed
- Total funding
- $176M disclosed
- Status
- $475M pending Lumen acquisition
What is Alkira?
Alkira is a cloud-native networking company that lets enterprises design, deploy, and operate secure hybrid and multi-cloud connectivity from a unified control plane. In May 2026 Lumen agreed to acquire Alkira for $475 million in cash, with closing expected in Q3 2026.
Alkira sells network infrastructure as a service for enterprises that need to connect clouds, data centers, branches, partners, and security services without building traditional network hardware stacks in each location. Its platform focuses on on-demand network infrastructure, cloud connectivity, segmentation, security insertion, and operations through a programmable control plane. Sequoia lists Alkira as a portfolio company that lets customers build and deploy global secure cloud networks in minutes.
The company raised $176 million before the announced Lumen transaction, including a $100 million Series C led by Tiger Global in 2024. Lumen's May 2026 announcement reframed Alkira from a growth-stage cloud networking startup into a pending acquisition target that will become part of Lumen's AI-era digital network platform. Until close, the companies said they would continue operating independently, so this profile treats the acquisition as pending as of June 2026.
What does Alkira offer?
Alkira offers cloud networking, network-as-a-service, secure multi-cloud connectivity, segmentation, routing, and network service insertion.
- Cloud Network as a Service· Platform
- Hybrid and multi-cloud connectivity· Networking
- Segmentation· Security
- Cloud routing· Networking
- Network service insertion· Security
- AI-ready connectivity· Enterprise infrastructure
- Programmable control plane· Operations
How does Alkira make money?
Alkira sells enterprise network infrastructure-as-a-service through quote-based subscriptions and deployments; public list pricing is not disclosed.
Alkira's customers are enterprises with complex cloud, data-center, edge, and network-security needs. The product is not a self-serve $/seat tool; pricing is likely quote-based and tied to network footprint, cloud regions, bandwidth, service insertion, security controls, support, and contract term. The company publishes product and demo paths but not a public price sheet.
Growth is driven by cloud migration, AI infrastructure demand, enterprise need for simpler multi-cloud connectivity, and the difficulty of operating traditional network appliances across distributed environments. The pending Lumen acquisition suggests Alkira's software becomes a strategic layer for Lumen's fiber and enterprise connectivity platform. Sellers should map budget to network architecture, cloud operations, security, infrastructure engineering, and post-acquisition Lumen integration teams.
Who leads Alkira?
Alkira is led by CEO Amir Khan, with co-founder and CTO Atif Khan driving the technical networking platform.
- Amir KhanFounder and CEOSince 2018Leads Alkira's cloud networking and enterprise go-to-market strategy.
- Atif KhanFounder and CTOSince 2018Technical co-founder behind Alkira's network-as-a-service platform.
- Bill CoughranSequoia partnerPartnered in 2018Listed by Sequoia as Alkira partner.
- Lumen integration leadershipPending acquirerTransaction expected Q3 2026Post-close decision-making will shift into Lumen's enterprise technology organization.
How do you contact Alkira's leadership?
Alkira publishes demo/contact paths but not verified personal executive emails in the reviewed sources. Use official demo, contact, partner, or Lumen transaction/investor routes.
Public contact/demo routes; personal executive email format not verified- Lumen investor relationsAcquirer investor contacthttps://ir.lumen.com/news/lumen-to-acquire-alkira/default.aspx
Sources:Alkira demoLumen acquisition hub
How much funding has Alkira raised?
Alkira raised $176 million before Lumen agreed to acquire it for $475 million in cash.
Alkira's May 2024 Series C announcement disclosed a $100 million round led by Tiger Global, bringing total funding to $176 million. The round included Dallas Venture Capital, Geodesic Capital, LIAN Group, NextEquity Partners, and existing investors such as Kleiner Perkins, Koch Disruptive Technologies, and Sequoia Capital. Earlier public funding details are less complete, but the total is company-disclosed in the Series C release.
In May 2026, Lumen announced an agreement to acquire Alkira for $475 million in an all-cash transaction expected to close in Q3 2026. That is the most current valuation-like event and supersedes any private valuation inference. Sellers should treat Alkira as a pending acquisition account with integration-sensitive budgets.
How did Alkira get here?
Alkira grew from a 2018 cloud networking startup to a $475 million pending Lumen acquisition.
- 2018FoundedAlkira is founded to simplify enterprise cloud networking.
- 2018Sequoia partnershipSequoia lists Alkira as partnered in 2018.
- May 2024$100M Series CTiger Global leads round, bringing total funding to $176M.
- 2025Technology Fast 500 recognitionAlkira reports growth recognition and product expansion.
- May 2026Lumen acquisition agreementLumen agrees to acquire Alkira for $475M cash, expected to close Q3 2026.
Who are Alkira's competitors?
Alkira competes with cloud networking, SASE, SD-WAN, and network-as-a-service vendors.
- AviatrixCloud networking and multicloud network security platform.
- AviatrixMulticloud networking and security platform for enterprise cloud environments.
- MegaportNetwork-as-a-service and cloud interconnect platform.
- Equinix FabricCloud and data-center interconnection platform from Equinix.
- CiscoEnterprise networking incumbent with SD-WAN, security, and cloud networking products.
- AryakaManaged SD-WAN and SASE connectivity provider.
Alkira — frequently asked questions
