Black Hat, the premier cybersecurity event series, announced its Global Startup Spotlight Competition at the close of Black Hat USA 2025, held at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. This initiative expands the existing Startup Spotlight Competition, uniting promising cybersecurity startups worldwide to showcase innovative solutions at Black Hat USA 2026 and regional events.
Black Hat introduces Global Startup Spotlight Competition for 2026.
Builds on regional Startup Spotlight pitch contests at Black Hat events.
Regional winners compete in the global finale at Black Hat USA 2026.
Aims to connect startups with investors and industry experts.
Applications open for SecTor 2025, Black Hat MEA 2025, and more.
Addresses growing need for investment in emerging cyber technologies.
The Global Startup Spotlight Competition responds to the increasing demand for investment in emerging cybersecurity technologies. “The Startup Spotlight is more than a contest, since it also creates the opportunity to unite cyber startups, investors, and industry experts as they innovate new solutions that protect and shape the future of our digital world,” said Brittany Buza, Conference Producer (Startup Spotlight) at Black Hat. By providing a global platform, the initiative levels the playing field for startups lacking access to U.S.-based venture capital networks.
The competition builds on regional Startup Spotlight events held at Black Hat conferences worldwide, where startups pitch their solutions to live audiences and expert judges. Winners from each regional event—SecTor 2025, Black Hat Middle East and Africa 2025, Black Hat Europe 2025, Black Hat Asia 2026, and Black Hat USA 2026—will advance to the Global Startup Spotlight Competition on the final day of Black Hat USA 2026. Eligible startups must be five years old or less with fewer than 50 employees, and no exhibitor status is required.
SecTor 2025: Applications open, due by August 18, 2025. Details at www.blackhat.com/sector/2025/spotlight.html.
Black Hat Middle East and Africa 2025: Cyberseed Startup Competition applications open, due by October 27, 2025. Visit www.blackhatmea.com/black-hat-mea-cyberseed.
Black Hat Europe 2025: Applications open August 20, 2025. More at www.blackhat.com/eu-25/.
Black Hat Asia 2026: Applications open closer to the event, with webpage available in November 2025.
Black Hat USA 2026: Applications open in April 2026, with webpage available in February 2026. The regional winner will compete in the global finale.
The Global Startup Spotlight Competition fosters collaboration among startups, investors, and industry leaders, spotlighting solutions like Knostic’s LLM access control (2024 winner) and FireTail’s AI security platform (2025 finalist). By showcasing cutting-edge technologies, Black Hat aims to accelerate the development of tools addressing critical cybersecurity challenges, from vulnerability management to AI-driven security.
Black Hat’s Global Startup Spotlight Competition positions the event series as a catalyst for cybersecurity innovation. By connecting emerging startups with global opportunities, it ensures the industry stays ahead of evolving threats, culminating in a high-stakes showcase at Black Hat USA 2026.
Black Hat is the cybersecurity industry’s most established and in-depth security event series. Founded in 1997, these annual, multi-day events provide attendees with the latest in cybersecurity research, development, and trends. Driven by the needs of the community, Black Hat events showcase content directly from the community through Briefings presentations, Trainings courses, Summits, and more. As the event series where all career levels and academic disciplines convene to collaborate, network, and discuss the cybersecurity topics that matter most to them, attendees can find Black Hat events in the United States, Canada, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and Asia.
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