Join Us: Where and How to Create Cybersecurity Startups
Strengthen Software Security, IT & Security Data Intelligence Redefined, Democratizing and Automating cybersecurity with AI-driven tools, Building trust in AI around us, Protect all businesses
Hello, Cyber Builders đ
I am excited to share a project I've been passionately working on for nearly a year. As many of you know, Aurélie and I launched CyGO Entrepreneurs, the pioneering European Cybersecurity Venture Studio, last March.
This week marks a milestone for us. We're excited to announce the opening of our first six spaces!
One of our gimmicks at CyGO Entrepreneurs is âFeedback is a gift.â
Cyber Builders (founders, product managers, and even CISOs) are too often alone. They love getting feedback, positive or negative. A three-line email, one tweet or social media post, or a comment in a formâeverything is okay.
We should all remember how much energy we get when we get feedback. Itâs like a gift: a slice of the person giving away an idea.
In this Post
The list of our first six spaces where we are calling for practitioners (e.g., Cyber Builders) to join and co-design
Studio Model: Recap how we operate with our community
What is a 'Space'?: Define what a 'space' means - they are not just business ideas.
Introducing "Le Club": Learn about our exclusive "Le Club" and its benefits for members, including networking and direct influence on product development.
CyGO Entrepreneurs Studio Model
CyGO Entrepreneurs begin not with beliefs but with hypotheses. Hypotheses are tested with rigorous customer discovery and market validation. This commitment is foundational in pioneering innovation within the cybersecurity domain.
Our way is to have an inclusive approach where security practitioners can express their views. It is how we are building new ventures (or âstart-upsâ)
The initial building phase objective is to carve out viable market segments, craft compelling value propositions, and engage initial design partners. Through this process, each venture is grounded in empathy and evidence, directly addressing real market needs, not ideas that come out of the blue.
đĄ First Months â Setting the Stage for Innovation
Objective: Validate the new cybersecurity venture's market need and strategic direction.
Key Results:
Market and Pain Point Validation: Challenge and verify the initial hypotheses about market needs and pain points. Determine potential customers' willingness to engage further.
Value Proposition Development: Craft a preliminary value proposition that aligns with our target market's identified needs and pains. Create detailed profiles for one to three key user and buyer personas.
Market Segment Identification: We will focus our initial efforts on identifying a market segment with solid demand for our proposed solutions.
Design Partner Collaboration: Secure commitments from at least two to three design partners. These partners will be integral in co-developing and testing the initial product concept, ensuring it meets real-world needs and expectations.
Cybersecurity Feedback are Gifts - Entering âLe Clubâ
We are not doing this alone. CyGO Entrepreneurs assemble a community of Cyber Builders around it. We call it âLe Clubâ (sorry for the French twist. đ)
"Le Club" isn't just a group; it's a diverse community of individuals eager to share their experiences, challenges, and ideas.
You can join âLe Clubâ if:
Youâre a CISO willing to share issues youâre facing on your current project or plans.
Youâre a security practitioner trying to fulfill new requirements.
Youâre a SOC Manager who is spending countless hours defending your organization.
Youâre a Freelancer Consultant and want to share pain points learned in the trenches (e.g., anonymous customer projects)
Our members actively shape the spaces we explore, offering their insights on specific issues and sharing their experiences. They have full access to our space pipeline and will be invited to join regular meetings and events.
When they express enthusiasm to collaborate more, they might become design partners. A design partner at CyGO means more than engagement. Typically, design partners are companies that see the tangible value in our ventures and commit to integrate these solutions into their systems, participate in pilot projects, and provide ongoing, constructive feedback.
Join the club for the following benefits:
Networking Opportunities: Connect with cybersecurity professionals, industry leaders, and potential collaborators within the unique ecosystem of CyGO Entrepreneurs
Exclusive Access to Innovations: Gain first-hand exposure to cybersecurity solutions and innovations.
Direct Influence on Product Development: Play a pivotal role in developing new products, ensuring these solutions address the communityâs needs precisely.
Feedback and Collaboration: Provide valuable feedback, participate in beta testing, and collaborate on groundbreaking projects
Visibility and Recognition: Enhance your professional profile by participating in exclusive events.
A Space is Where New Ideas Bloom
At CyGO Entrepreneurs, a "space" transcends the typical conceptâit is a dynamic ecosystem ripe for innovation. Distinct from a startup idea, a space encompasses a broad set of market opportunities where the seeds of new ventures take root.
Spaces are based on:
Market-Driven Innovation: Emerging market drivers such as new business models, practices, or regulations define each space.
Complex Challenges: New challenges influence budgets, operational efficiency, and team dynamics across multiple departments.
Action-Oriented Needs: Security leaders and practitioners must act within these spaces. They confront critical 'jobs to be done' that require immediate and practical solutions.
Multiple business and startup ideas can exist in one space, and thatâs OK. It will bring fruitful discussion within âLe Club.â
Our 6 First Spaces
Aurelie and I are happy to announce our first cybersecurity spaces, where the studio is spending time and looking for co-founders. The list is not exclusive. It is here to help you understand the New Security solutions we are championing.
We're excited to welcome individuals who are passionate about cybersecurity and eager to contribute to the development of innovative solutions. If you or someone you know is interested in joining us on this journey, don't hesitate to get in touch with us.
All across Europe, We are calling Entrepreneurs to Become Founder within the studio. We are calling Security Practitioners to Join Le Club to co-design and co-build with us.
ProductX - Strengthen Software Security
Context: Every organization is now a software maker (apps, web, mobile), and every software maker is now responsible for their product's cybersecurity.
Problem: Cybersecurity and software liability have become critical requirements in business relationships and regulations. However, developing secure software remains technically complex, and getting a team to adopt best practices is challenging.
Ambition: ProductX aims to empower organizations to enhance security, ensure compliance, and outperform competitors by facilitating the delivery and maintenance of secure software. Our vision is to revolutionize software production by providing the tools necessary for leveling up security while collaborating with software teams.
DataX - IT & Security Data Intelligence Redefined
Context: In the era of data-driven decision-making, the siloed nature of cybersecurity data presents a significant challenge for analysis and strategy.
Problem: Security professionals need seamless data integration from IT, cloud, and security solutions, limiting visibility, policy accuracy, and identifying security gaps.
Ambition: DataX enables security professionals, from analysts to engineers, to seamlessly integrate and utilize data across all security tools and IT infrastructure, whether on-premise or cloud-based. We aim to transform cybersecurity operations by providing a unified data platform that enhances visibility, improves policy accuracy, and identifies security gaps.
Intelligent Security - Democratizing and Automating cybersecurity with AI-driven tools
Context: Cybercrime is pervasive, and the technical tasks required for effective cybersecurity are overwhelmingly complex.
Problem: The cybersecurity industry needs more than three million professionals. The field's complexity and jargon deter many potential entrants, exacerbating the shortage and leaving systems vulnerable.
Ambition: Intelligent Security aims to bridge this gap by utilizing AI to educate, explain, and automate security operations, making cybersecurity approachable for everyone and saving valuable time.
AI Trust - Building trust in AI around us
Context: Generative AI has become a fundamental component of enterprise and consumer software, raising crucial questions about trust, security, and ethics.
Problem: AI struggles with data integrity, confidentiality, ethical concerns, hallucinations, bias, and intellectual property protection.
Ambition: AI Trust solutions tackle these challenges by addressing data integrity and confidentiality, traceability, ethical concerns, bias, and intellectual property protection. We aim to develop a platform that ensures AI is secure and trustworthy.
Beautiful Smalls - Protect all businesses from cybercriminals
Context: Small and medium-sized enterprises, which form 90% of Europe's economy, are increasingly vulnerable to cyber-attacks, often resulting in job losses and critical service disruptions.
Problem: These businesses face catastrophic disruptions from ransomware and other attacks due to limited and outdated security measures, such as antivirus and firewalls.
Ambition: Beautiful Smalls aims to democratize cybersecurity by developing an affordable, comprehensive platform beyond traditional solutions. Our vision is to empower these businesses to defend against cyber threats effectively, ensuring cybersecurity for all.
Conclusion - Join Us - Be A Cyber Builder
The first six spaces at CyGO Entrepreneurs address current challenges and are also about pioneering solutions that will shape the industry's future.
For Innovators and Visionaries: If you are a co-founder looking to launch your next company, we invite you to join us at CyGO Entrepreneurs. Here, you will find a community committed to mutual success and innovation. Together, we can transform groundbreaking ideas into robust, scalable ventures.
For Members of "Le Club": This is your platform to influence the future of cybersecurity. Share your challenges and ideas, and engage with spaces that resonate with your expertise and passion. Your insights are invaluable, and your participation is crucial in co-developing solutions the market needs.
Laurent đ