FULTON, Md.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–DataTribe, a global cyber foundry that invests in and co-builds next-generation cybersecurity and data science companies, announced today the finalists of its sixth-annual DataTribe Challenge. The competition identifies seed-stage startups with a vision to disrupt cybersecurity and data science. The three finalists will split $20,000 in prize money, and one winner will be eligible to receive up to $2 million in seed capital from DataTribe.
“We are thrilled to announce the finalists of the 2023 DataTribe Challenge,” said John Funge, Managing Director of DataTribe. “Today, there is no time for incremental change. It takes an offensive mindset to build secure cyber defenses. The DataTribe Challenge is identifying companies looking over the horizon to identify and solve the cybersecurity challenges we will face three, five, ten years down the road.”
The three finalists stood above entries from the record number of submitted applications. Finalists will present a pitch and answer questions from judges during a live event on November 2nd at DataTribe headquarters in Fulton, Md.
Finalists:
- Ceritas: Based in Massachusetts, Ceritas provides Hardware Bill of Materials (HBOM) vulnerability analysis and Digital Bill of Materials (DBOM) data transfer. Ceritas identifies all known vulnerability relationships and leverages artificial intelligence (AI) to help companies reduce risk by monitoring equipment currently in use and conducting purchasing due diligence.
- Dapple Security: Based in Colorado, Dapple Security offers a revolutionary capability: the ability to securely log into systems without storing sensitive identity data. The secret data needed to authenticate is regenerated on the fly at the time of login. Since there is no need to store sensitive user data, Dapple Security prevents phishing and related attacks that rely on stolen credentials, preserving user privacy and dramatically reducing the data attack surface. Based on a patent-pending technology, Dapple is highly flexible and able to integrate with an array of leading biometric capture and authentication platforms.
- Ampsight: Based in Virginia, Ampsight is at the forefront of AI risk management with its signature solution, Nucleus. Specifically designed for CISOs, Nucleus is an AI Risk Management solution that automatically generates risk and trustworthiness scorecards and recommendations that ensure AI/ML models are properly used within an organization.
“Each year, we are tasked with an almost impossible choice of selecting three finalists from a strong pool of applicants,” said Mike Janke, Co-founder of DataTribe. “Ceritas, Dapple Security, and Ampsight are solving some of the most pressing challenges in our industry — from visibility into vulnerabilities across hardware supply chains to making how we log into systems both easier and more secure to managing AI risk management. We sincerely thank all who took the time to apply to the challenge. We look forward to working closely with the eventual winner of the DataTribe Challenge, providing the capital, resources, and expertise needed to scale their business rapidly.”
The 2023 DataTribe Challenge judges are:
- Jim Routh, Advisor and Board Member at Multiple Cyber Firms, Former CISO at MassMutual, Former CSO at Aetna, Former CISO at Amex
- William MacMillan, Chief Product Officer at Red Cell Partners, Former SVP of Cybersecurity at Salesforce, Former CISO at CIA
- Kristen Edwards Marquardt, Head of Digital & Cyber, NA at Hakluyt, Former SVP and Chief Cyber Strategist at Bank of America
- Navin Maharaj, Director at Koch Disruptive Technologies
- Bob Ackerman, Founder & Managing Director of AllegisCyber and Co-founder, DataTribe
About DataTribe
DataTribe is a startup foundry that invests in and co-builds world-class startups focused on generational leaps in cybersecurity and data science. Founded by leading investors, startup veterans, and alums of the U.S. intelligence community, DataTribe commits capital, in-kind services, access to an unparalleled network, and decades of professional expertise to give their companies an unfair advantage. DataTribe is headquartered in the Washington-Baltimore metro area in Fulton, Maryland. For more information, visit https://datatribe.com.
