The DataTribe Challenge is the premier pitch competition for early-stage cybersecurity and cyber-adjacent startups. Held as the headline event of the afternoon at Cyber Innovation Day 2025, it’s designed as a true launchpad—not just a stage.

We select five top startups for an exclusive program of hands-on coaching with seasoned founders and investors. Finalists then pitch live on November 4th in front of a packed room of CISOs, investors, and cyber leaders. This is the 8th Annual Challenge, and it continues our mission to make the experience founder-first, high-impact, and high-value.

DataTribe is a cybersecurity venture foundry based in Maryland. We co-build and invest in startups with founders from the deepest technical communities—such as the Intelligence Community, national labs, and top-tier research institutions.

We specialize in early-stage investing, working hands-on with founders to build companies from the ground up. Our portfolio includes multiple companies that have achieved unicorn status or are well on the path to it.

We don’t just write checks—we roll up our sleeves to help you build something world-class.

We built the Challenge to deliver real value, not just visibility. If selected as a finalist, you’ll:

• Share $25,000 in cash prizes
• Receive expert coaching to sharpen your messaging, strategy, and pitch
• Present live at Cyber Innovation Day 2025
• Exhibit in the Cyber Innovation Expo Hall
• Gain exposure through event press, social media, and promotional campaigns
• Earn the title of DataTribe Challenge Finalist—joining an elite group of alumni

We’re looking for ambitious startups ready to build the next category-defining cybersecurity company. Applicants must meet these criteria:

• Pre-Series A
• Raised less than $1.2M in total funding to date
• Have a working product, MVP, or prototype (not just an idea)
• Focused on cybersecurity, data science, or a clearly cyber-adjacent category
• Ready to raise a Seed or pre-Seed round

If that sounds like you—this is your moment.

Applications open in June 2025 right here on this website. The application process is simple and founder-friendly.

You’ll need to provide:

• A pitch deck
• Basic company information
• Your contact information

• Submissions Open: June 2025
• Deadline to Apply: September 12, 2025
• Finalists Announced: October 6, 2025
• Coaching Program Begins: October 2025
• Finalists Pitch Live: November 4, 2025

Finalists will receive personalized coaching from the DataTribe team and exhibit alongside 5 additional standout startups in the Cyber Innovation Expo Hall.

The Challenge takes place in person at Capital Turnaround, a dynamic venue located in the Navy Yard district of Washington, DC—as part of Cyber Innovation Day 2025.

Finalists should plan for coaching time over 2–3 weeks at the end of October. The in-person pitch and expo take place on November 4, and finalists will be expected to attend the full day of Cyber Innovation Day to network, exhibit, and present.

There will be five judges, including leading investors, cybersecurity executives, and startup veterans. Confirmed so far:

• Bob Ackerman, Co-Founder of DataTribe and Founder of AllegisCyber Capital

More judges will be announced in Fall 2025.

1. Identification of Problem and Solution
2. Technical Approach
3. Originality and soundness of IP to solve a problem

Please ensure your pitch deck covers the following bullet points below.

REVIEW - Who are you?

• What exactly does your company do?
• What industry or vertical are you in?

OPPORTUNITY - What’s happening in this market? Why now?

• Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the market
• Show a burgeoning market sector ripe for change

PROBLEM – What are you trying to solve?

• What is the problem, and how did you experience or see this problem?
• Why does the problem exist?
• How is it currently being addressed?

SOLUTION – What are you doing about it?

• How do you solve the problem elegantly and originally?
• Show how this relieves a proven pain point, is it scalable and repeatable?

TRACTION – What evidence do you have that this will be successful?

• Show a pattern of growing momentum, and how you are measuring it.
• Demonstrate a clear sales process, pilot programs, and customer or user feedback.

CUSTOMER OR MARKET – Who are your customers, and how many of them are out there?

• Show a clearly defined market & target market
• How will the product Go-to-Market?

COMPETITION - Who or what will steal your customers?

• Primary & secondary competitors, why?
• Are you different enough to compete? What are your unique advantages?

BUSINESS MODEL - How do you make money?

• How do you acquire customers and grow?
• What are your customer acquisition costs?

TEAM - Who is going to pull this off?

• Bio for Founders, Advisors & Board members- 140 characters
• Demonstrate your domain experience, DoD, R&D, Commercial, etc.

USE OF FUNDS – What do you want and why?

• What size and type of investment?
• Explain how you will spend it, and what you will accomplish with it.

APPENDIX – Additional information

• Anything relevant
• FAQs, Patent(s) information, Milestones achieved, Product roadmap