Black Hat, the premier global conference series for cybersecurity professionals, has officially announced the launch of its Global Startup Spotlight Competition, a new initiative designed to elevate emerging cybersecurity companies on an international scale. The announcement came on the final day of Black Hat USA 2025, held at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.
The Global Startup Spotlight Competition will culminate at Black Hat USA 2026, bringing together the most promising startups selected through a series of regional competitions held across global Black Hat events. This new format expands upon the long-standing Startup Spotlight Competition, offering wider opportunities for early-stage cybersecurity ventures to gain industry recognition, attract investor interest, and present cutting-edge technologies on a global stage.
Black Hat USA Uniting Cybersecurity Startups with Investors and Experts
“The Startup Spotlight is more than a contest,” said Brittany Buza, Conference Producer for the Startup Spotlight series at Black Hat. “It creates an opportunity to unite cyber startups, investors, and industry experts as they innovate new solutions that protect and shape the future of our digital world.”
Buza added that the global initiative is also aimed at democratizing access to venture capital and professional networks for cybersecurity innovators worldwide—especially those from regions traditionally underrepresented in the U.S.-based tech ecosystem.
The competition invites startups to pitch live at Black Hat events, demonstrating how their solutions address critical security challenges and advance innovation in fields such as cloud security, AI-powered threat detection, zero trust architecture, and data protection.
Regional Competitions Begin This Year
Regional Startup Spotlight Competitions will serve as the entry point to the global competition. Upcoming events include:
- SecTor 2025 (Canada): Applications open at blackhat.com/sector/2025/spotlight.html; submission deadline: August 18, 2025.
- Black Hat Middle East and Africa 2025: Applications open at blackhatmea.com; submission deadline: October 27, 2025.
- Black Hat Europe 2025: Applications open August 20, 2025.
- Black Hat Asia 2026: Application period and event site will go live in November 2025.
- Black Hat USA 2026: Applications open April 2026; the national winner will be chosen during the first day of the event and advance to the Global Startup Spotlight Finals on the last day.
Each regional winner will receive an invitation to compete in the Global Finals at Black Hat USA 2026, allowing startups from diverse geographic backgrounds to showcase their solutions to a global audience of security leaders, investors, and researchers.
Encouraging Next-Generation Security Solutions
As cybersecurity threats become more complex and persistent, Black Hat’s new initiative aims to foster innovation and resilience in digital infrastructure worldwide. The platform also supports knowledge sharing, peer collaboration, and business development in one of the fastest-evolving sectors of the tech industry.
Additional updates and event details for each regional and global competition will be released in the coming months. For more information or to apply, participants are encouraged to visit www.blackhat.com.
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