Cyber - Startup Wise Guys

WISE GUYS CYBER

Defense AI and cybersecurity focused accelerator by Startup Wise Guys

March 2020 – June 2020

About CyberNorth

Estonia – a country with a lot of digital and cyber “firsts” is welcoming the best and brightest startups in defense AI, space and cybersecurity to grow and enhance the way we live!

CyberNorth is a dedicated acceleration program to help early stage cybersecurity founders test their business assumptions, speed up growth and conquer the world. Brought to you by Europe’s most experienced B2B accelerator Startup Wise Guys in partnership with Estonian Defence Industry Association, and supported by Ministry of Defence of Republic of Estonia.

We are scouting for cybersecurity, space and defense startups that have initial traction, solid and passionate team with global ambitions!

Apply until February 7, 2020!

Equity Investment

30k € cash investment for 9% equity with follow-on possibility up to 250k €

Network

200+ investors and 250+ mentors

Knowledge

Intensive 3 month mentoring program

Office

Free modern co-working space

Accelerator Timeline

Accelerator program consists of 3-months intensive mentoring focused on idea shaping and validation, business development, sales and fundraising. But don’t worry – our Geek Squad will keep your developers challenged and busy too!

Preparation

November – January

Startups can apply online and catch the Wise Guys CyberNorth team for a chat, office hours and free mentoring at events. Follow our Facebook page for updates on upcoming events.

Selection Bootcamp – February

Our selection committee, consisting of investors, cybersecurity, space and defense experts and mentors, Wise Guys CyberNorth team, will select up to 25 startups who will be invited for the 3 day Selection Bootcamp event in Riga, Latvia in February.

Program starts

March

Teams relocate to Tallinn and start working at the co-working space. During the first month of accelerator program, startups go through intensive speed mentoring, as well as dive into hands-on workshops on business model, product-market fit, experiment design and of course sales.

April

After getting the business model and sales in order, startups are exposed to special topic dedicated weeks such as Marketing Week, Investor Week and 2 dedicated product weeks.

May

Teams get broad exposure to Business Angels and VCs, with several opportunities to pitch at high profile regional startup events including Latitude59 (May 28-29).

June

Mentoring intensity trails off in the last month of the program to allow teams to finally “do the real work”, and maybe head for another conference TNW (18-19 June). The program officially finishes in June.

Post-Program Support

After-care: July - September

Continued on-demand help will be provided from mentors and Startup Wise Guys team.

Accelerating in Estonia

Did you know that in 2007 Estonia survived a major cyber-attack that almost stopped the country for more than three weeks? The lessons learned clearly have not come easy, but now media all over the world are naming Estonia a cybersecurity hotspot. The country also hosts the headquarters of the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence. Besides Estonia is also the first country that’s using blockchain on a national level.

The little country of less than 2 million inhabitants has managed to develop one of the most technologically advanced systems of government serving as a role model to many. 99% of its public services are electronic. E-health system has been running for more than a decade, and Estonia was the first country in the world to elect its parliament via e-voting system.

Apart from its well deserved cyber reputation, Estonia is also a true breeding ground of unicorns, think Skype, Transferwise, Taxify. It’s also the birth-place of Startup Wise Guys accelerator. With its convenient on-boarding system for foreign founders – a special Startup Visa and E-residency program – it has become a desired destination for tech talent and startup founders from all over the world.
Join the #EstonianMafia and grow in a tight ecosystem of successful tech founders!

Awesome Mentors

We have a deep network of 250+ mentors ranging from business developers and sales guys to cyber security gurus. They are all practitioners and supporters of our “no bullshit” philosophy! Here are some of our top mentors you will get the chance to meet and learn from at Wise Guys CyberNorth accelerator program.

Kieren Niĉolas Lovell

TalTech Head of CERT, Social Engineer Instructor (King’s and Pembroke, University of Cambridge)

Remi Prunier

Investment Manager, Orange Digital Ventures

Joseph Carson

Chief Security Scientist at Thycotic, Founder and CEO of Wiretrap

Clare Lain

Head of Technical and International Engagement at UK Hydrographic Office

Camelia Isaic

Management Adviser, Strategic Investor Relation and Corporate Finance expert

Maurice McGinley

Director, Customer-Focused Innovation at Avast Software

Tony Anscombe

Industry Partnership Ambassador at ESET

Ralph Echemendia

The Ethical Hacker and CEO at Seguru

And 250 more… Take a look

Team

For most founders accelerator is a life-changing experience and transforms the business beyond any expectations within 3 months! To make that happen you need a kick-ass team. So here they are – some of the people that will keep you on track with KPIs, give constructive feedback and make your stay in Tallinn epic!

Farid Singh

Managing Director of CyberNorth

Cristobal Alonso

El Patron, Global CEO at Startup Wise Guys

Herty Tammo

Co-founder & Investor

Dag Ainsoo

Investment Manager & CFO

Applications Closed

With more than 165 startup investments behind our back and a solid team of serial entrepreneurs and passionate mentors – we for sure have what it takes to help you speed up your business and scale internationally! Applications are closed for now, but sign up for our Newsletter and let’s stay in touch!

Apply Now