Pitch Your Security Startup to the Wolf Pack // Earn Recognition and Cash Prizes // Open to the Best Startups

Event Dates/Times:

Deadline to Enter: Midnight ET on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026
Pre-ISC Judges Review: In late October, the "Wolf Pack" of judges will do preliminary meetings with each startup entrant.
Day 1 at ISC: Finalist Round, Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026, 4:05–5:00 p.m. ET, The Bridge Stage at ISC East
Day 2 at ISC Championship Round: Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026, 10:15–10:45 a.m., The Bridge Stage at ISC East

Location:

The Bridge stage at ISC East, Javits Center, New York City

The first-ever SIA Startups in Security Pitch Competition will spotlight the most promising emerging companies in the security industry, providing a high-profile platform for innovators to present their market-ready solutions to leading investors, industry executives, integrators, end users and technology partners. This live pitch competition will recognize companies making waves in the security technology and services sector, and selected winners will receive cash prizes, one-to-one mentorship and visibility for their emerging firms.

Up to 10 selected startup companies will pitch their businesses before an elite panel of security industry experts and investors known as the SIA StartUps Wolf Pack. Following the first-round live competition to be held on Nov. 4 at The Bridge stage at ISC East, three finalists will advance to a live championship event the following morning, Nov. 5, back on The Bridge stage, where audience voting, final judging and selection will occur in front of the live audience of ISC East attendees.

Whether you want to attend to see what the newest technologies and services are or whether you’re ready to get your company on the main stage, this event is for you! Attendance of the judging competition is open to all and free.

Why Enter:

Gain visibility among investors, customers and strategic partners
Receive feedback from experienced industry leaders
Accelerate business development opportunities
Increase brand awareness through SIA and ISC East promotional channels
Cash prizes and one-to-one sessions with top industry executives

Competition Details // process // rules

Who Can Enter:

The program is open to any startup company that has been in business less than five years, is a SIA corporate member (access our special discounted rate for startups) and which has a brand presence at ISC East (in the ISC StartUps pavilion area or with a booth, meeting space or officially collocated in another company’s booth). In addition, each company must have a commercially available or market-ready solution and be actively generating revenue or have paying customers. Companies that are still in the concept, prototype or pre-revenue stage are not eligible (but we hope to have you participate in our next competition!).

Yes, you can enter the pitch competition while you're still lining up your ISC presence and/or your SIA membership. Find details on the ISC StartUps area here and general exhibiting contacts here. For SIA's discounted startups membership, please contact membership director Randy Clark.

How to Apply:

Complete the following web form no later than midnight ET on Friday, Oct. 2. There is no cost to apply; your costs are covered by your SIA membership and ISC East presence and thanks to generous donors.

Our Judges (The Wolf Pack):

Our judges panel is a collection of major investors, seasoned CEOs of successful firms and longtime serial entrepreneurs who have been in your position themselves. They're willing to share insights, connections and help you run with the wolves!

Process:

Following the application period, the program managers will review all applications and select 10 companies to participate in the Finalist Selection Round on Nov. 4. At the conclusion of the Leaders Selection Round, three companies will be named who will be invited to return the following morning for a Championship Round that will involve judge interview and audience voting and which will determine final rankings, prize selection and winner announcements.

Winners Prizes (determined in Champion's Round):

Third Place:

$1,000 cash prize!
Dinner With a Winner: Dinner with a top investor or industry executive

Second Place:

$1,000 cash prize!
Dinner With a Winner: Dinner with a top investor or industry executive
1 Ticket to Securing New Ground 2027 (Oct. 26–27, 2027, New York City)

Champion/Grand Prize:

$2,500 cash prize!!
Free ISC StartUps exhibit at ISC 2027 (Las Vegas, Nevada)
Dinner With a Winner (x2): Two dinners with a top investor industry executive or top investor)
1 Ticket to Securing New Ground 2027 (Oct. 26–27, 2027, New York City)

Enter the Pitch Competion & Run With the Wolves

StartUps in Security Pitch Competition Entry Form

Complete the following form to officially enter the pitch competition. A copy of your responses will be provided to you upon submission of the entry form.

Company Name(Required)

Year Founded(Required)

Headquarters Location (City + State/Region/Province + Country)(Required)

Website(Required)

Annual Revenue(Required)

Under $250,000

$250,000-$1 million

$1 million - $5 million

$5 million-$10 million

Over $10 million

Company Overview(Required)

Product/Service Description(Required)

Describe your innovation or unique value proposition.(Required)

Market Traction Summary(Required)

Funding Status(Required)

Founder(s) Information(Required)

Pitch Competition Presenter

Name(Required)

First Last

Title(Required)

Email(Required)

Mobile Phone Number(Required)

Full Pitch Deck(Required)

This deck will be reviewed by judges in advance to help determine the 10 finalists who will present on stage and will also provide deeper background on your company. However, you will still need to keep this deck to something that could be presented (or reviewed by judges) in less than 5 minutes. It may be used if you reach the Championship Round. Acceptable file formats include PDF, Microsoft PowerPoint, Apple Keynote

Accepted file types: pdf, pptx, key, Max. file size: 128 MB.

Abbreviated Pitch Deck(Required)

This is the deck that will be used on stage at the competition if your company is selected as one of the 10 companies to present in the Finalists Round. It must be presented in less than 2 minutes and should wow an audience instantly. Acceptable file formats include PDF, Microsoft PowerPoint, Apple Keynote

Accepted file types: pdf, pptx, key, Max. file size: 128 MB.

2-Minute Video Pitch(Required)

Please upload a 2-minute pitch video to your website, YouTube, Vimeo or similar services and provide the judges the link in the field below. This is a run-through of the pitch that would accompany the abbreviated pitch deck above.

Does this video link require an access code or password for download?(Required)

Yes

No

Passcode(Required)

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