In a bold move, Assaf Rappaport, CEO of cloud security startup Wiz, revealed that he turned down a staggering $23 billion acquisition offer from Google, opting instead to pursue a valuation of $100 billion.

Speaking at the annual TechCrunch Disrupt conference, Rappaport justified his decision, citing the vast potential of the cloud security market. "I think we did the right choice," he said. "We believe it's bigger, definitely bigger than endpoint, bigger than networks, so the opportunity to become a 100-plus billion dollar company is there."

Wiz, founded by former Israeli military officers, has been one of the fastest-growing cybersecurity startups in recent years. The company has reached $500 million in annual recurring revenue and aims to double that to $1 billion by 2025, a prerequisite for an IPO.

Rappaport acknowledged that rejecting the offer was a tough decision, especially considering the interests of Wiz's investors and employees. However, he emphasized that the founders ultimately made the call, citing a "healthy relationship" with investors.

The startup's growth and ambitious plans have earned it the title of "the world's largest cybersecurity unicorn," with a private valuation of $12 billion. Wiz has raised $1 billion from investors, including Andreessen Horowitz, Lightspeed Venture Partners, and Thrive Capital.

While Wiz has made two acquisitions in the last year, Rappaport expressed a cautious approach to M&A, citing the potential cultural impact on the company's 1,500-strong organization.

The move is a significant bet on the future of cloud security, and Wiz's bold ambitions are likely to resonate with the tech and startup community.