Actualization.ai has won the CyberBay Innovation Challenge at CyberBay Summit 2026, receiving a $70,000 non-dilutive grant for its SquarePact solution. The award recognizes the company’s innovative approach to delivering practical, accessible, and cost-effective cybersecurity for small and mid-sized organizations.
“The next generation of cybersecurity innovation won’t succeed if it only works for the biggest companies with the biggest budgets,” said Manish Agrawal, Ph.D., University of South Florida Professor and Academic Director at Cyber Florida. “This challenge is about identifying solutions that are usable, affordable, and ready to meet organizations where they are today.”
CyberBay Summit 2026 brought together leaders from government, defense, academia, and private sectors to address escalating cyber threats. The Innovation Challenge, organized by CyberBay’s Innovation Solutions Working Group, aimed to spotlight viable technologies that bridge the gap for resource-constrained organizations.
Actualization.ai stood out among finalists HACKsee and RedShield for its targeted go-to-market strategy and market understanding. By channeling SquarePact through Managed Service Providers, the solution lowers barriers to entry, reduces costs, and delivers effective protection tailored to small and medium-sized businesses—directly aligning with the challenge’s mission to democratize cybersecurity.
A panel of Tampa Bay investment leaders—Amit Agrawal (Tampa Bay Wave), Dr. Tim R. Holcomb (Embarc Collective), and Zach Brodsky (Florida Funders)—evaluated the live pitches based on innovation, feasibility, and real-world impact.
The $70,000 grant, provided by Bellini Capital, will support Actualization.ai in scaling its solution and advancing deployment in underserved markets.
CyberBay’s focus on collaboration, workforce development, and accessible innovation continues to strengthen the national cybersecurity ecosystem.
About CyberBay
CyberBay is a Tampa Bay–based cybersecurity ecosystem focused on strengthening collaboration across industry, government, academia, and defense. Through community engagement, events, workforce initiatives, and innovation programs, CyberBay works to make cybersecurity more accessible, more effective, and a strategic priority for organizations nationwide.
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