CyberWire Daily 2025 DataTribe Challenge: Forging the future of cyber. [Special Edition]
Oct 5, 2025
Leo Scott, Chief Innovation Officer at DataTribe, discusses the evolving DataTribe Challenge, emphasizing its competitive format as a launchpad for cybersecurity startups. Anita D'Amico, a past winner, shares her Cinderella story from R&D to acquisition, highlighting the invaluable support she received. Greg Baker from Balance Theory explains the challenges of pitching and the benefits of DataTribe’s mentorship. Brian Proctor of Frenos shares his journey of creating AI-driven cybersecurity solutions, detailing how winning the Challenge boosted their visibility and investor interest.
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CodeDx Spun Out From Government R&D
- Anita spun CodeDx out of a services company to commercialize DHS-funded R&D into a product company.
- She joined DataTribe after meeting John Fung and then visiting DataTribe near NSA.
Use The Challenge To Sharpen Your Pitch
- Use the Challenge to force clarity: distill your story and value into a concise pitch.
- Treat the process as training; iteration ahead of the stage is where the real work happens.
Winning Triggered Rapid Company Buildout
- After winning, CodeDx filled gaps for rapid growth: financial structures, marketing, and sales hires.
- DataTribe helped transform them from a research team into a scalable product company.