Support Ecosystem

The Cyber Howard Accelerator is an intensive 12-week program designed to help cybersecurity startups refine their products, establish market strategies and secure funding. Each cohort includes six to eight companies that receive hands-on support from a dedicated Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) and industry mentors.

Program Focus Areas

Strategy and Growth

• Define clear goals and key performance indicators (KPIs)

• Develop scalable business models and operational plans

• Identify market fit and competitive positioning

Go-to-Market Strategy

• Analyze total addressable market and customer segmentation

• Refine value propositions for government, commercial and defense markets

• Develop a structured go-to-market strategy, including pilot programs and customer outreach

Marketing and Sales

• Build targeted marketing campaigns for cybersecurity buyers

• Develop branding and content strategies to differentiate products

• Learn sales enablement techniques, including channel partnerships

Funding and Pitches

• Understand funding pathways, including venture capital and government contracts

• Participate in investor pitch preparation and feedback sessions

• Gain access to venture capital firms, angel investors and strategic partners

Product Development and Testing

• Receive support for product development, iteration and security validation

• Access testing environments, such as sandboxes and simulation labs

• Learn regulatory compliance processes for CMMC, FedRAMP and SOC 2

Networking and Collaboration

• Engage with industry leaders, government agencies and alumni

• Participate in peer collaboration and knowledge-sharing within the cohort

• Build long-term partnerships with key stakeholders

Mentorship and Support

The Cyber Howard Accelerator provides structured mentorship from experienced professionals in cybersecurity, business development and investment strategy. Each cohort is supported by:

• A dedicated Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) who offers strategic business guidance throughout the program

• Cybersecurity and technical mentors who help refine product security, compliance and technical validation

• Sales and go-to-market mentors who assist with federal procurement, corporate partnerships and customer acquisition

• Investment and funding mentors who provide coaching on pitch development, fundraising strategies and investor readiness

Mentors engage with startups through bi-weekly check-ins, specialized workshops and feedback sessions. They play a key role in evaluating companies’ progress and guiding them toward successful market entry.