Former GitHub CEO Thomas Dohmke Joins Apiiro to Tackle Security Risks in AI-Generated Code

Former GitHub CEO Thomas Dohmke has taken on a new advisory role at Apiiro, an AI code-security startup focused on protecting enterprises from vulnerabilities introduced by AI-generated software code. His move comes just months after stepping down from GitHub in August, following a decade-long tenure at Microsoft.

Apiiro specialises in securing codebases built with the help of AI assistants — a growing concern as companies adopt multiple AI coding agents across development teams. Dohmke warned that while these tools speed up programming, they often lack awareness of an organisation’s internal security policies, compliance rules, and architectural safeguards.

“Developers now work with multiple AI coding agents, and these models don’t automatically understand company policies or security requirements,” Dohmke said. “This creates real risks if not monitored properly.”

Apiiro’s platform integrates directly with enterprise code-management systems, giving AI coding tools the context they need to generate secure code. It also detects, flags, and automatically fixes vulnerabilities, helping developers stay compliant without adding extra work.

The startup has raised more than $100 million from top investors including General Catalyst, Greylock, and Kleiner Perkins. Its CEO, Idan Plotnik, previously built and sold cybersecurity startups and served as a security leader at Microsoft — the connection through which Dohmke first became familiar with Apiiro’s mission.

Dohmke said the role is primarily driven by his belief in what Apiiro is building rather than compensation, though he will receive equity as part of his advisory involvement.

During his time at GitHub, Dohmke oversaw the explosive growth of GitHub Copilot, which now has more than 20 million users, making it the world’s leading AI coding assistant. His move to Apiiro signals a growing industry push to address the complex security challenges emerging from AI-assisted software development.