Sign up

By sector

Find a co-founder for your cybersecurity startup

Cybersecurity startups build products and services that protect systems, data and people: identity and access management, threat detection, cloud and application security, vulnerability management, security awareness, managed services for small businesses and tools for compliance teams.

Publish my project for freeBrowse talent

In short

To find a cybersecurity co-founder, define the threat you address and who buys the solution (CISOs, IT managers, small businesses or developers), publish your project on EasyCofounder stating whether you need deep security expertise or B2B commercial strength, and verify a candidate’s track record carefully, because credibility is the first thing security buyers judge.

Buyers in this market are cautious by profession. They ask who built the product, how it was tested and whether the company will still exist in three years. That makes the founding team unusually important, and investors look closely at whether the founders have real security experience as well as the ability to sell to large organisations.

Typical teams pair a security engineer or researcher, often from offensive security, incident response or a large security vendor, with a co-founder who has sold B2B software into IT or risk departments. Without that commercial profile, many technically brilliant products never get past the pilot stage.

On EasyCofounder, describe the problem you solve, the buyer, your current stage and the role you are offering. Engineers and business profiles interested in security can then contact you, and you can take time to check references before going further.

Building a Cybersecurity startup: what matters

  • Credibility sells

    Previous roles, public research, conference talks or certifications help a young company get its first meetings. Make the team’s background visible from the first version of your website.

  • Know the frameworks

    Customers will ask about ISO 27001, SOC 2, Cyber Essentials or sector rules such as NIS2 in the EU. A co-founder who can map the product to these frameworks shortens every sales cycle.

  • A public ecosystem

    In the UK, the National Cyber Security Centre publishes guidance and has run programmes with startups, and clusters have grown around Cheltenham, London and Belfast. Similar networks exist across Europe.

  • Practise what you sell

    A security startup that suffers a breach rarely recovers its reputation. Secure development, access control and incident plans must be part of the company from day one, not a later project.

  • Product or services

    Some teams start with consulting or penetration testing to fund product development. It brings revenue and market insight, but agree together when and how you will move to a product.

  • Talent is contested

    Experienced security engineers are courted by large firms and governments. A clear mission, meaningful equity and flexible working are often what convinces one to co-found instead.

Find your co-founder in 4 steps

  1. 1

    Create your free profile

    Describe your skills, your availability and what you bring to a founding team.

  2. 2

    Publish your project

    Say which role you are looking for (CTO, CEO, CMO…), the commitment expected and the equity on offer, in Cybersecurity.

  3. 3

    Let the matching work

    Filter talent by skill and location, or get suggestions of compatible profiles from the AI matching.

  4. 4

    Talk, then meet

    Chat through the built-in messaging, test your collaboration on a first project and put your agreement in writing in a shareholders’ agreement.

Frequently asked questions

Do both co-founders need a security background?

No. One deep security expert is essential, but the second co-founder is often more valuable if they understand enterprise sales, partnerships or a target industry such as finance or health.

How can I check a security expert’s claims before co-founding?

Ask for references from former colleagues, look at public research or open source work, and run a short paid project together. EasyCofounder also offers identity verification and cross reviews after real collaborations.

Should a cybersecurity startup get certified early?

Large customers often require it, but certification takes time and money. Many startups first adopt the practices of a framework and certify once a key customer makes it a condition.

Can a cybersecurity startup be built by a remote team?

Yes, many are, provided you set strict rules on devices, access and communication from the start. Some government or defence customers may still require local presence or specific clearances.

Where can I find a cybersecurity co-founder?

Publish your project on EasyCofounder with the security profile you need, and meet practitioners at security conferences, capture-the-flag events and local meetups such as OWASP chapters.

What should a cybersecurity founders’ agreement cover?

Beyond equity and vesting, clarify who owns tools and research brought into the company, how responsible disclosure of vulnerabilities is handled and what happens to client relationships if a founder leaves.

Guides to partner well

Find a co-founder in another city

Find a co-founder by sector

Find a co-founder by role