We’re thrilled to announce our newest CyberTech|X Accelerator cohort – 15 innovative cybersecurity startups ready to transform the industry! This diverse group brings together ambitious founders from across the United States and the United Kingdom, underlining Tampa Bay’s emergence as a global cybersecurity hub.
Our 2025 cohort represents the cutting edge of cybersecurity innovation, with solutions ranging from zero-trust frameworks to advanced AI applications. These founders bring exceptional expertise from tech giants like Meta, Google, and Cisco, as well as leading institutions including Johns Hopkins and Berkeley.
Meet our 2025 CyberTech|X cohort:
ApiaryX (Jacksonville, FL)
ApiaryX empowers families with AI-driven cybersecurity, gamified education, and real-time guidance to navigate the digital world safety.
Founder(s): Catherine Karow
Breacher (Orlando, FL)
Provides deepfake red teaming and awareness training to help organizations defend against emerging threats with knowledge.
Founder(s): Jason Thatcher
Clox (San Francisco, CA)
AI platform that detects fraudulent documents, extracts insights, and enables streamlined workflows.
Founder(s): Praveen Mamidi
Cyntegra (London, U.K.)
Patented technology ensures rapid recovery from ransomware and advanced cyberattacks, minimizing disruption and cost.
Founder(s): Giles Watkins, Maria Vachino
Fairo (Newton, MA)
SaaS platform offering expert Responsible AI consulting, delivering top-tier insights without hiring a consultant.
Founder(s): George Chamoun
Gaming Zero Trust (Philadelphia, PA)
AI-powered platform centralizing cybersecurity policies, assessing risks, and automating policy implementation.
Founder(s): Erin Christ, Ronald Hurry
Follow them on LinkedIn!
Guardare Inc. (Clearwater, FL)
Advanced AI platform simplifying cybersecurity for resource-limited organizations, reducing risks with trusted frameworks.
Founder(s): Dane Fiore, Lars Letonoff
HACKERverse.ai (Chicago, IL)
Marketplace simplifying the buying, selling, and evaluation of enterprise cybersecurity software.
Founder(s): Mariana Padilla
Kriptos (Miramar, FL)
AI-driven platform providing data visibility, real-time insights, and risk management to enhance compliance and prevent data leakage.
Founder(s): Christian Torres, Alfonso Villalba Almeida
LockDown Labs (Tampa, FL)
AI platform connecting security and development teams to fix application vulnerabilities in open-source and third-party libraries.
Founder(s): Zachary Perdomo, Ali Naqvi
Mendara, Inc. (Tampa, FL)
Develops custom AI solutions to set a new standard for secure and trustworthy artificial intelligence.
Founder(s): Shoaib Shaikh, Alyssa Kennedy
Opsbeacon (New York, NY)
Builds an AI SOC Analyst, revolutionizing security operations with conversational, automated workflows.
Founder(s): Cihan Sahin, Charles Randall
Smart Eye Technology (Bentonville, AR)
Secures digital environments with continuous biometric verification to prevent unauthorized access and insider threats.
Founder(s): Dexter Caffey
Undaunted Development LLC (Arlington, VA)
Creates interactive visual tools to make coding faster and more intuitive for cybersecurity professionals and developers.
Founder(s): Mark Griffin
Verisoul (Austin, TX)
Helps security teams detect fake accounts, bots, and fraudsters in real-time.
Founder(s): Henry LeGard, Raine Scott, Niel Ketkar
Supported by the U.S. Economic Development Administration, our program kicked off this week with an intensive, founder-focused experience here in Tampa Bay. Participants will receive industry-focused mentoring, training, and support leading up to our exciting Pitch Night on February 25th.
We’re grateful for the support of our key partners, including A-LIGN, EY, Bank of America, Cyber Florida, 360 Advanced, Potomac Law Group, and Thoropass, who help make this program possible.
Stay tuned for updates as these promising startups progress through the program. Join us in February to see how they’re revolutionizing cybersecurity and contributing to Tampa Bay’s thriving tech ecosystem!
