Deadline: September 12, 2025
The 8th Annual DataTribe Challenge has opened submissions, providing early-stage cybersecurity and cyber-adjacent startups with a launchpad to accelerate growth, gain visibility, and secure funding.
The focus is on identification of problem and solution, technical approach, originality and soundness of IP to solve a problem, opportunity in the market, problem definition, solution design, traction, customer or market, competition, business model, team, and use of funds.
The DataTribe Challenge serves as the headline event of Cyber Innovation Day 2025, where five finalists will pitch live on November 4, 2025, after weeks of personalized coaching by seasoned startup operators and investors. In addition to pitching, finalists and selected standout startups will exhibit in the Cyber Innovation Expo Hall, gaining exposure to leading investors, cybersecurity leaders, and strategic partners.
The program is designed for startups in the pre-Series A stage that have raised less than $1.2 million to date, possess a working product or MVP, and are focused on cybersecurity, data science, or cyber-adjacent categories. Selected startups will share $25,000 in cash prizes, earn the title of DataTribe Challenge Finalist, and benefit from significant press and promotional coverage.
The deadline to apply is September 12, 2025. Finalists will be announced on October 7, 2025, and will begin a coaching program in October ahead of the live pitch. The challenge will be held in person at Capital Turnaround in Washington, DC.
For more information, visit DataTribe.
