MACH37 Cyber Accelerator Accepting Applications for Spring 2016 Session

PRESS RELEASE

November 14, 2015 (HERNDON, Va.) – The MACH37™ Cyber Accelerator has officially announced it will begin accepting applications from information security product startups and security entrepreneurs for its Spring 2016 (S16) Cohort that begins on March 14^th. The MACH37™ program consists of an intense 90-day program in which the selected startups are coached in all aspects of creating a sustainable and successful business.   

MACH37™ encourages entrepreneurs with emerging products and companies to apply for the S16 Cohort, which will be limited to 8 companies. The program is open to startups from any geography whose founders are ready to immerse themselves in a mentorship program designed to produce the next generation of leading security product companies. The program brings together domain experts, successful security entrepreneurs, buyers, and investors familiar with the security market into a platform that supports the rapid launch of next generation security technologies.

Upon acceptance into the program, participants receive a $50,000 investment to develop and launch their ideas into the market.  Following completion of the program and a successful Demo Day presentation, the CIT GAP Fund will match up to $100,000 of outside investment for companies located in Virginia.  MACH37 companies will benefit from ongoing access to the MACH37 Stars Mentor Network and will receive support throughout the life of their enterprise.

Since MACH37™ was launched in 2013, the accelerator has accepted five classes of startups to participate in the program. The Fall 2015 Cohort is currently in session and will culminate with a Demo Day on December 8th, 2015. Following the graduation of the F15 class, MACH37™ will have helped create 29 new cybersecurity companies.

Bob Stratton, MACH37™ General Partner, said, “Every day, we add new connected devices and new security risks to almost every aspect of our online lives. MACH37’s unique program allows entrepreneurs to validate their disruptive cybersecurity concepts that solve these problems, and prepare their companies for investment. For the upcoming Spring 2016 Cohort, we are looking for companies and founders who are putting their best ideas into developing innovative products that address these risks at scale.”

MACH37™ is looking for candidates who:

·         Are building a disruptive information security technology product

·         Are delivering foundational security capabilities that enable entirely new products & markets

·         Have the will and endurance to turn their labor into commercial success

·         Have ideally built a team of 2-4 co-founders

·         Need help with startup capital, introductions, and navigating pitfalls

·         Are seeking rapid growth through venture capital

·         Are willing to be in Virginia for the entire 90 day program and commit to the venture full-time

To apply, visit www.mach37.com/apply and fill-out the online application.  MACH37 will be accepting rolling submissions but participants are highly encouraged to apply by December 4^th. For more information, please direct inquiries to [email protected] or visit https://www.mach37.com.

MACH37™ is the first business accelerator to focus exclusively on information security innovations and startups. It brings together domain experts, successful cybersecurity entrepreneurs, and investors to create a platform for innovators and their startups to rapidly develop themselves into promising companies prepared for financing.

About MACH37™

MACH37™ is the premier accelerator for information security entrepreneurs and startups.  We go beyond the traditional model of typical business accelerators by bringing our innovators focused mentorship and support from our extensive network of visionaries, practitioners, buyers, and successful entrepreneurs in security.  Our Spring and Fall sessions are designed to propel graduating companies into the marketplace, equipped with the skills to grow and compete for funding and market share. MACH37™ was launched in 2013 by the Center for Innovative Technology, in Herndon, Virginia.  To learn more, please visit www.mach37.com and follow @MACH37cyber on Twitter.

About the Center for Innovative Technology

Since 1985, CIT, a nonprofit corporation, has been Virginia’s primary driver of innovation and entrepreneurship. CIT accelerates the next generation of technology and technology companies through commercialization, capital formation, market development and revenue generation services. To facilitate national innovation leadership and accelerate the rate of technology adoption, CIT creates partnerships between innovative technology start-up companies and advanced technology consumers. Follow CIT on Twitter @CITorg and add the Center for Innovative Technology on LinkedIn and Facebook.