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The Exciting Road to Innovation: RSAC™ 2025 Finalists Announced

On April 8, 2025, the RSA Conference LLC (RSAC) revealed the much-anticipated Top 10 Finalists for its 20th Annual RSAC™ Innovation Sandbox Contest. This competition has become a hallmark of innovation in the cybersecurity industry, where budding startups showcase their groundbreaking ideas and solutions. Known for gathering some of the brightest minds in cybersecurity, RSAC is the largest and most influential conference in the sector, making these finalists an exciting focal point of the event set for April 28 in San Francisco.

The contest provides a significant platform for young companies that are ready to make a difference in tackling modern cybersecurity challenges. Each finalist will present a three-minute pitch and engage in a Q&A session with a panel of distinguished judges, all while vying for the esteemed title of "Most Innovative Startup."

Recognizing Talent in Cybersecurity

This year's finalists had to face fierce competition, as submissions increased by over 40% compared to the previous year. More than 200 cybersecurity startups applied, underscoring the contest's relevance and the industry's demand for cutting-edge solutions. Prominent judges, including David Chen from Morgan Stanley and Dorit Dor from Check Point, will assess the startups, with RSAC Executive Chairman Hugh Thompson returning to host the event.

The Top 10 Finalists include:

• - Aurascape: Focused on using AI responsibly while addressing its inherent risks, Aurascape provides leaders in AI and security with the necessary safeguards to fully leverage AI technologies.
• - CalypsoAI: This finalist offers an Inference Platform that secures applications and agents, empowering businesses to scale AI safely with customizable solutions.
• - Command Zero: An autonomous platform that enhances security operations, enabling analysts to carry out in-depth investigations and threat detection in complex environments.
• - EQTY Lab: Pioneering solutions that ensure trust in AI using cryptographic governance, making it accountable and verifiable across various sectors.
• - Knostic: Offers access controls for Large Language Models (LLMs), allowing organizations to embrace AI-driven innovation securely.
• - Metalware: Known for securing critical infrastructure firmware at scale, helping organizations preemptively detect and resolve vulnerabilities.
• - MIND: An innovative data security platform that automates data loss prevention and insider risk management to create a robust data security framework.
• - ProjectDiscovery: Provides security teams with the tools to identify and rectify vulnerabilities, leveraging open-source technology powered by Nuclei.
• - Smallstep: Innovators behind ACME Device Attestation, this platform verifies device ownership to secure sensitive resources effectively.
• - Twine Security: Focused on closing the cybersecurity talent gap, their AI digital employees streamline identity management tasks, thus enhancing organizational effectiveness.

The Future of Cybersecurity

According to Nasrin Rezai, SVP and CISO at Verizon, selecting this year's Top 10 finalists presented unique challenges, given the high quality of applicants. She expressed great anticipation for the competition, noting the necessity for innovation to address evolving cybersecurity threats. The emphasis on young companies is a testament to RSAC's commitment to fostering the next generation of cybersecurity innovators, vital for a safe digital future.

To underline the importance of this anniversary, RSAC introduced a new investment initiative: each finalist is set to receive a $5 million investment. This support not only helps in bolstering their technological advancements but also accelerates their growth within the industry.

Furthermore, the RSAC Innovation Sandbox contest has a history of propelling its participants towards success, with over 90 acquisitions and $16.4 billion in investments recorded since its inception. The event at San Francisco's Moscone Center is an essential one in the cybersecurity calendar, paving the way for promising startups to shine in front of industry leaders and decide the future direction of cybersecurity.

As the stage is set for the April 28 event, attendees can expect to witness the unveiling of groundbreaking technologies that could shape the landscape of cybersecurity moving forward. This exciting endeavor not only highlights innovation but also emphasizes the collaborative effort required to address cybersecurity's challenges in an increasingly complex digital world.