Dreamit expands from healthtech and urbantech into a third vertical to invest in and accelerate early stage securetech startups.
Dreamit Ventures, an early-stage venture fund and accelerator, announced today Dreamit SecureTech, to invest in and accelerate game-changing securetech startups. Dreamit’s SecureTech launch comes just 10 weeks after Dreamit’s announcement of their expanded partnership with investor and developer, Jeff Vinik, including a $12 million investment.
Dreamit SecureTech has three focus areas: Logical will focus on hardware and software-based cybersecurity products; Physical will focus on mitigating threats to people and property; and Social will focus on the dimension of human communication such as fraud, social media/fake news, and information warfare.
Dreamit is entering a sector witnessing strong global startup growth working to combat the nearly unending surge of cybercrime and other security threats. “We are thrilled to launch Dreamit SecureTech where we can bring strong securetech expertise coupled with Dreamit’s proven startup de-risking and growth platform to invest in and accelerate market-ready securetech startups, help them raise their Series A, and become dominant players,” said Steve Barsh, Managing Partner at Dreamit Ventures.
Bob Stasio, most recently Chief of Operations at IBM’s X-Force Command Center, is joining Dreamit’s team to lead Dreamit SecureTech. Stasio brings to Dreamit a strong track record in securetech, having led teams in both the private and public sectors, as well as the intelligence community and the military. “Bob’s strong expertise in securetech along with his passion and experience helping securetech startups succeed convinced us that he was the right person to drive these efforts,” said Darren Sandberg, Managing Partner, Dreamit Ventures.
“I’m excited to join Dreamit where I can leverage my decades of commercial experience, relationships, and military career to help securetech startups grow. Many securetech startups are founded by former military operators, and I look forward to working with them to continue our mission of protecting the people, places, and things that matter most,” stated Stasio.
Dreamit will work with global securetech startups, providing access to extensive customer, industry, and investor networks during 14-week acceleration programs. Startups do not need to relocate but will spend 4 weeks in multiple cities. During two weeks of Dreamit Customer Immersions, securetech startups will meet with CISO and CSO security leadership at top banking, insurance, manufacturing, healthcare, transportation, government, and military organizations. As Dreamit’s acceleration focus is to have startups close their next round within six months after the program, the capstone is a 2-week bi-coastal curated investor roadshow where securetech startups meet one-on-one with interested investors.
Securetech startups with strong teams, a great product, and the desire to scale are invited to apply now at dreamit.com/apply. The first SecureTech cycle starts early September 2018 and will culminate in a 2-week Investor Roadshow in early December 2018.
About Dreamit Ventures
Dreamit Ventures is an early stage venture fund that accelerates healthtech, urbantech, and securetech startups that are transforming their industries. Founded in 2008, Dreamit identifies, builds, and invests in vertical-specific startups with market-ready products and founding teams with a desire to scale rapidly. During rigorous 14-week programs, founders receive intensive one-on-one coaching, pitch to dozens of potential customers and partners on multi-city Customer Immersions, meet with leading venture funds during highly curated bi-coastal Investor Roadshows, and gain access to a vast network of experienced alumni and other resources. Dreamit has accelerated nearly 300 startups including SeatGeek, HouseParty, LevelUp, Adaptly, Wellth, Biomeme, Tissue Analytics, Redox, Eko Devices, Raxar, and Elevate. Dreamit portfolio companies have raised ~$800 million in follow-on funding, achieving a combined value of nearly $2 billion.