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August 2-7, 2025
Mandalay Bay / Las Vegas

Startup Spotlight Competition

Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, NV

Oceanside D, Level 2

The Black Hat Startup Spotlight Competition is a pitch contest designed to showcase emerging cybersecurity startups. Finalists are offered the opportunity to present their innovative solutions to a live audience and a panel of esteemed judges for the opportunity to win it all onsite at Black Hat USA.

Enter your startup today to gain visibility, connect with industry leaders, and accelerate your growth within the cybersecurity sector.


About The Competition

Win your way to exhibit at Black Hat USA!

Create and submit your 5-minute video using the Form below, calling out your company’s competitive advantages of the product or solution and how it will help cybersecurity pros. Products and solutions can be in development, about to launch or in the recently launched phases.

Finalists Receive

  • One Turnkey Startup booth at Black Hat USA 2025
  • One 20-minute speaking session in the Startup City Theater
  • One 30-minute call with an Omdia Cybersecurity Analyst

Key Dates

  • April 16: Competition Opens
  • June 11: Competition Closes and Submissions Due
  • July 7: Finalists Announced
  • August 6: Finalists Pitch LIVE during Black Hat Day 1 at 1:30 PM, Winner Announced
  • August 6-7: Finalists Exhibit at Black Hat USA

Who Can Enter

Any Startup company 5 years old or less with less than 50 employees is eligible to enter the competition.

Note: It is not necessary to be an Exhibitor at Black Hat USA 2025 to enter the competition. There are no entry fees.

LEARN MORE about promoting your company as an Exhibitor at Black Hat USA 2025


Submit your Entry


Judges

The four finalists are invited to exhibit in the Startup City area at Black Hat USA 2025 and present their product or solution live to the judging panel and live audience where a winner will be announced.

Startup Spotlight Judges

Coleen Coolidge
Trey Ford
Hollie Hennessy
Maria Markstedter
Matthew Martin
Brooke Motta
Lucas Nelson
Robert J. Stratton III
Sid Trivedi
Mikala Vidal