Speaker
Description
Have you ever walked through the vendor hall at a major security conference and thought, that could be me?
Cybersecurity startups are often portrayed as a fast track to success—funding, acquisitions, and independence. The reality is far more complicated.
In this talk, I will walk through what it actually takes to turn a security tool or research idea into a company, and why so many fail along the way. Drawing from firsthand experience as a founder, along with insights from investors, advisors, and other security entrepreneurs, we’ll examine the critical decisions that shape a startup’s trajectory.
We will cover topics including how (and whether) to pursue venture funding and accelerators, what it really takes to land early customers, common mistakes in company structure and leadership, and when it makes sense to bring in outside executives. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of the risks, tradeoffs, and realities of building a cybersecurity startup—and how to avoid the most common pitfalls.
Optional: Speaker / convener biography
Georgia Weidman is a cybersecurity researcher, entrepreneur, and author with over 15 years of experience in offensive security. She is the founder of Bulb Security, a penetration testing firm, and Shevirah, a mobile security startup.
She is the author of Penetration Testing: A Hands-On Introduction to Hacking and has conducted DARPA-funded research in smartphone exploitation. Her work has been featured in outlets including ABC, BBC, The New York Times, and Reuters.
Georgia has spoken and taught at venues including Black Hat, DEF CON, and RSA Conference, and enjoys sharing practical security knowledge with the broader community.
| Length | 45 minutes |
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