Gener8tor, a decade-old startup accelerator focused on underserved founders across the U.S., is mentoring security tech-focused startups to succeed in its newest cybersecurity accelerator program.
A member of the Global Accelerator Network, the Madison, Wisconsin-based nationally-ranked program invests in high-growth startups working on security technology solutions. Security tech covers concepts, policies, and components designed to minimize risk, identify vulnerabilities, and inform how and when to respond to potential cyber incidents.
The accelerator’s first cohort features six companies. Each company participates in a 12-week program and receives an investment of $100,000 from gener8ator in exchange for 6% equity and an opportunity to pitch to gener8tor-vetted investors. Starting in 2023, gener8tor will work closely with two accelerator cohorts each year with hands-on mentoring designed for security technology startups.
Geekdom, a downtown San Antonio coworking community, has partnered with gener8tor to oversee the new startup program. The gener8tor program uses spaces on the eighth floor of the Rand Building, where Geekdom is located.
Read: Geekdom Will Launch New Cybersecurity Accelerator In 2022
During San Antonio Startup Week, gener8ator’s first cohort of six startups will pitch at a showcase event on Oct. 20.
Here are the 6 startups pitching at the gener8ator Showcase on Oct. 20.
Blue2Factor hails from Binghamton, NY. Founder and CEO Chris McLain was previously a senior
security engineer at Cornell University. His startup has a working prototype of a tool for password-free multi-factor authentication invisible to the end user.
Blocmount detects cyber attacks designed to take over control systems. The San Antonio-based startup recently won an SBIR Phase I grant of $256,000 for its AI defense agent that dynamically
orchestrates the use of blocks for better attack detection rates. Founder Mina Guirguis is a Texas State University professor specializing in cybersecurity.
Cyber Warrior Network offers enterprises business-to-business subscriptions to the game for talent recruitment and development. Based in San Antonio, founder and CEO Nigel LeBlanc has realized his vision for closing the cybersecurity workforce gap. He created the world’s first cyber warfare esports league that can validate players’ cybersecurity skills to help match them to real-world cybersecurity jobs.
Read: Cyber Warrior Network Creates Cyber Esports League to Fill Jobs
Exofense protects web services from denial-of-service attacks. Based in San Jose, CA, Exofense actively creates protocols and platforms to vaccinate web services from these attacks. Founder Lawrence Lu previously launched Phorena Inc. and 629 Networks.
Rodolfo Ruiz is the CEO and co-founder of the U.K.-based startup, Hertzian. Its hardware helps internet-of-things and device manufacturers prevent data breaches. Hertzian generates revenue through the one-time sale of its chip, licensing, and monthly subscriptions from customers in Europe and North America.
Keep Aware protects enterprises from cyber threats by using behavioral analytics to block phishing, data loss, and malicious downloads. The Austin-based startup has secured prospects and customers in various industries, including law firms, government entities, and professional services. Ryan Boerner is CEO and co-founder.
San Antonio is a new market for gener8tor, said managing director Amanda Keammerer said. San Antonio is home to the largest pool of certified cybersecurity experts outside the nation’s capital region, the U.S. Air Force Cyber headquarters, NSA Texas, a massive private sector presence, and a growing number of cyber startups.
“I think it’s powerful to grow this ecosystem here in San Antonio,” Keammerer said. “The new accelerator program will act as a lightning rod for the growing cyber hub here, amplifying the unique assets we already have as a city.”
Register for free entry to hear pitches from the six teams at gener8tor’s Cybersecurity Showcase on Thursday, Oct. 20. from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Briscoe Western Art Museum.
