The Cybersecurity Factory

The Cybersecurity Factory is a summer program for security startups in collaboration with Highland Capital Partners.

The world needs better security software. We believe much of the innovation in security is locked up in the top US research universities, and we want to help unleash it by starting companies. That's why we built the Cybersecurity Factory, an 8-week summer program for academics to launch security startups.

Security software startups face several unique challenges. The advantage of new technologies is hard to communicate, and can be even harder to demonstrate, to customers. Reputation is paramount, but can be damaged overnight. Sales models are rapidly evolving, and keeping up with them requires both agility and experimentation.

The goal is to bring you the capital, mentorship, and other resources to get your security startup off the ground this summer.

Those accepted to Cybersecurity Factory will be granted office space in Kendall Square, and a $20,000 investment from sponsor Highland Capital Partners. But the financing doesn’t necessarily end there: Highland has the option to invest up to $250,000 in the first $1 million raised in excess of the aforementioned $20,000 note. On top of that, startups will be paired with both an academic mentor, who can offer guidance on technical aspects, as well as a seasoned industry mentor, who will give feedback on the actual product. In an email interview, Yang told me that all industry mentors they have been considering for the program have either started their own security firms or are in managing roles in some major companies. They are aiming to announce the advisory board sometime within the next week. She added that the program will also adhered to a check-in infrastructure to help the teams stay on track. Meanwhile, both cofounders will be building out the investor network, the customer network, and pursuing press for the teams.

By the end of the summer pilot, startups will boast a market-ready product validated by not only their mentor, but also a customer demo and a fine-tuned customer pitch. Beyond that, the program has set a stretch milestone: to raise seed funding within three months of leaving the Security Factory. The long-term goal, says Yang, is to establish a solid alumni network for companies that take part in this summer program in the future.

The early decision deadline to apply for Cybersecurity Factory is April 23 at 5 p.m., and the regular decision deadline is May 7 at 5 p.m. Yang says that there is no max number of companies that the program will cap off at—the acceptances will depend on the applications received. Cybersecurity Factory is searching specifically for early-stage technical startups, preferably with at least one co-founder who is currently in a PhD program or has completed a PhD in a topic related to the company’s focus.