CrowdStrike has introduced an Amazon Web Services (AWS) & CrowdStrike Cybersecurity Startup Accelerator tailored for EMEA-based startups. This equity-free initiative aims to empower and support the next generation of cybersecurity innovators, offering participants customized mentorship, technical expertise, and partnership opportunities as part of AWS’s Startup Loft Accelerator (SLA) program. Additionally, promising early-stage cybersecurity firms may have the opportunity to secure funding from the CrowdStrike Falcon Fund, the strategic investment arm of CrowdStrike.
Applications for the AWS & CrowdStrike Cybersecurity Accelerator are open from September 27 to October 31, 2023. Selected startups will benefit from a complimentary 10-week program that includes personalized guidance sessions with AWS cybersecurity experts and CrowdStrike executives, access to top-tier global cybersecurity investors, enablement sessions, and up to $25,000 in AWS Activate credits, among other exclusive perks.
At the program’s conclusion, participants can showcase their innovations at an in-person Demo Day held at the AWS Startup Loft in San Francisco during the RSA Conference in May 2024. Winning presentations stand a chance to secure funding from the CrowdStrike Falcon Fund, which boasts a portfolio featuring AWS Partners like Abnormal (Behavioral AI Security), Cribl (Observability), Dig Security (Data Security), Vanta (Compliance), and Talon Security (Secure Browser).
Josh Jones, Head of Corporate Development at Vanta, expressed enthusiasm for the initiative, stating, “Having the support of both AWS and CrowdStrike will help the program participants in ways not available to most emerging ISVs. It is a win-win-win for all parties involved.”Daniel Bernard, Chief Business Officer at CrowdStrike, highlighted the partnership’s potential, saying, “Now, with the creation of the AWS & CrowdStrike Cybersecurity Startup Accelerator, we are combining the tech expertise of two of the most reputable names in the industry to share best practices and business-critical resources for the next-generation of cybersecurity innovators building on AWS and the Falcon platform.”
Chris Grusz, Managing Director of Technology Partnerships at AWS, emphasized AWS’s commitment to cybersecurity, stating, “With the combination of our extensive expertise at AWS and CrowdStrike, the new cybersecurity accelerator will equip founders with the most innovative tools available to drive transformation in protecting people, businesses, and societies.”
The CrowdStrike Falcon Fund serves as a cross-stage investment fund and the largest corporate venture arm within the cybersecurity sector. It aims to cultivate an ecosystem of next-generation security leaders through a unique blend of investment and deep technical integrations with the CrowdStrike Falcon platform, granting CrowdStrike customers access to cutting-edge third-party capabilities.
The AWS Startup Loft Accelerator program is a 10-week virtual acceleration initiative for early-stage cloud-based startups. It empowers startups to leverage AWS tech resources, gain validation from industry leaders, connect with investors, and accelerate their time to market. The program focuses on four pillars crucial to early-stage startups’ success: Technology, Product, Go-to-market, and Funding, allowing entrepreneurs to tailor their program according to their needs.
With this initiative, CrowdStrike and AWS aim to drive innovation and transformation in the global cybersecurity landscape while supporting emerging startups in the EMEA region.