The MACH37 Cyber Accelerator program lasts for 90 days and is composed of startups that are cultivated from the area’s best and brightest and they are instructed on the various facets of starting and sustaining a successful business. The first session was held in September of 2013 and since then there have been five classes and 29 new cyber security companies have been launched as a result.
Governor Terry McAuliffe just recently revealed the new public-private partnership has been established with General Dynamics. Through General Dynamics’ sponsorship the MACH37 Cyber Accelerator program will receive innovative funding and a mentorship agreement.
Governor McAuliffe stated, “Cultivation of the next generation of cybersecurity, products and services is key to the continued development of the new Virginia economy. Today’s announcement shows that government can leverage the capital and intellectual assets of the private sector for development of innovative new companies and jobs. We are grateful to General Dynamics Mission Systems for their support of targeted economic development in our Commonwealth.”
The MACH37 Cyber Accelerator program is administered by the Center for Innovative Technology (CIT) and originally was funded by the Virginia General Assembly. The recent sponsorship agreement with General Dynamics will supplement the original funding. Sponsors directly participate in development of the most innovative cybersecurity product concepts in the market.
Karen R. Jackson, Secretary of Technology said, “The MACH37 Cyber Accelerator is a prime example of how we are fostering growth by attracting the best talent in the world to Virginia. Growth in the cybersecurity sector is valuable to Virginians for many reasons, so I’m particularly proud that the Commonwealth has become known globally as a premier location for cyber security innovation.”
Nadia Short, Vice President and General Manager of the Cyber Systems line of business for General Dynamics Mission Systems said, “Our job is to help our customers successfully execute their missions in a domain that is predictably unpredictable. MACH37 gives us access to Virginia’s smartest minds and technologies, accelerating the delivery of cybersecurity products and solutions that our customers need, when they need it.”
Applications from information security product startups and security entrepreneurs are currently being accepted for the Spring 2016 (S16) MACH37 Cyber Accelerator program session that is set to begin on March 14th. To apply please click here. Entrepreneurs with emerging products and/or companies from everywhere are encouraged to apply.
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