WISE GUYS CYBER

Apply to the next defense AI and cybersecurity-focused acceleration program starting in May 2022

Applications closed:

Cyber Xcelerator

Starting in May 2022 in Cosenza, Italy
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Ended February 2022:

Cyber Xcelerator

From November 2021 till April 2022
Apply now

Why Cyber Accelerator?

Wise Guys Cyber is a dedicated acceleration program for early-stage cybersecurity startups that will help test their business assumptions, speed up growth and conquer the world. This is a great opportunity for teams with initial traction, a solid and passionate team, and ambition to go global, especially with the Covid-19 pandemic highlighting the importance of the field of cybersecurity and rising investment numbers to an all-time high.

The program is meant for a wide spectrum of cyber startups working on identity and access management, data security, mobile security, threat and vulnerability management, network security, physical security, threat intelligence malware analysis, forensic analysis, and more. 

Startup Wise Guys

Equity Investment

78k € investment for up to 9% equity
(55k € cash + 23k € program)

Network

200+ investors and 350+ mentors

Knowledge

Intensive 5 months long accelerator program

Office

Free modern co-working space

Program Outline

Startup Wise Guys has launched a new format of acceleration program that is a better fit to meet the needs of today’s startups and apart from intensive mentoring offers implementation time. The program is run with 9 content modules to cover all aspects of accelerating product, company, and founders.

Applications Open

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

Selection Bootcamp

Our selection committee, consisting of investors, mentors, and Wise Guys Cyber team, will select up to 25 startups who will be invited for the 3-day Selection Bootcamp.
Program Starts

Setting the Fundamentals

The program begins with clear KPI and goal setting and work on the team itself.

Customer Discovery

A module on the target market and customers follows to find out where to focus the team’s attention.

Product Alignment and Sales Acceleration

First product sprint of the program to answer the big product-related questions.

Market Engineering

A module on defining the startup’s strengths and characteristics that make it distinctive.

Sales and Marketing

Development of marketing and sales strategies as well as pitch upgrade.

(Product) Build

Implementation time of the knowledge gained and for the growth of the business.

Business Development

Business and sales development combined with the second product sprint.

Startups 12 months road map

A module on the future of the startup’s journey within tech, sales, and business.

Fundraising

Fundraising strategy and broad exposure to Business Angels and VCs.
Post-Program Support

After program care

Continued on-demand help will be provided from the Startup Wise Guys team and mentors, as well as a never-ending journey as a part of the Startup Wise Guys alumni community will follow.

Accelerating Cyber

2021 has seen a huge surge in cyber attacks. With attacks, cybersecurity startups and scaleups have seen growth as well. Investment in this vertical has grown, with investors realizing the huge potential as digitalization and data increase.
Cybersecurity startups are inherently different from other SaaS startups with huge technical know-how and very concentrated distribution. The founders and teams need a different kind of acceleration with cyber-specific industry experts and technical mentors, as well as access to the market via partners and corporates. The risks are higher, but the rewards and impact are enormous.
At Startup Wise Guys we have found a fantastic secret sauce combination of investing and accelerating, experts and market access, as well as a geographical distribution that makes us unique. This is not a regional play, this is not an investment play, this is a Cybersecurity and Defence AI play, where Wise Guys Cyber is currently leading the way with over 20 investments.

Awesome Mentors

We have a deep network of 350+ mentors ranging from business developers and sales guys to cybersecurity 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 the Wise Guys Cyber 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

Running an accelerator is a bit like running a sports camp! This is the kick-ass team that will keep you on track with KPIs, give constructive feedback, and make the acceleration program a life-changing experience!

Egita Polanska

Managing Director of Wise Guys Cyber

Farid Singh

Program Director of Wise Guys Cyber

Andrea Oralndo

Managing Partner – Italy

Cristobal Alonso

El Patron, Global CEO at Startup Wise Guys

Read more on our blog

Partners and supporters

Cassa Depositi e Prestiti

Estonian Defence Industry Association

Estonian Ministry of Defence

Startup Estonia

Leonardo

NTT Data

Bring your cyber startup to the next level

With more than 275 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! Hit the button below and become a part of the Startup Wise Guys family.

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