DataTribe (Cyber Foundry & DataTribe Challenge)
Cyber · Run by DataTribe · Fulton, MD
Every field is checked against a primary source where we can. How we verify.
The facts
All fields verified Oct 1, 2026- Terms model
- Equity for cashInvests cash in your company and takes equity (an ownership stake) in return.
- Investment
- Not publishedFoundry/startup-studio model: co-builds and seed-invests in cybersecurity companies (typically drawing founders from the NSA/intelligence-community talent pool around Ft. Meade). Investment amounts and equity are negotiated per company and not published on the site, hence nulls. Annual DataTribe Challenge (free to enter; a signature program of the DataTribe-run Cyber Innovation Conference): 2026 submissions closed September 11; finalists are announced October 2; five finalists pitch October 27, 2026 at the conference in Washington, DC for a share of $25,000 in prize money. The old datatribe.com/challenge page now returns 404. Exits include ReFirm Labs (Microsoft), Code Dx (Synopsys), Attila Security (ID Technologies).
- Equity taken
- Not publishedFoundry/startup-studio model: co-builds and seed-invests in cybersecurity companies (typically drawing founders from the NSA/intelligence-community talent pool around Ft. Meade). Investment amounts and equity are negotiated per company and not published on the site, hence nulls. Annual DataTribe Challenge (free to enter; a signature program of the DataTribe-run Cyber Innovation Conference): 2026 submissions closed September 11; finalists are announced October 2; five finalists pitch October 27, 2026 at the conference in Washington, DC for a share of $25,000 in prize money. The old datatribe.com/challenge page now returns 404. Exits include ReFirm Labs (Microsoft), Code Dx (Synopsys), Attila Security (ID Technologies).
- Program length
- Not published
- Format
- In person
- Location
- Fulton, MD
- Cohorts per year
- Not published
- Cohort size
- Not published
- Stage focus
- company creation / pre-seed and seed
- Sub-vertical
- cybersecurity company creation (foundry/studio)
- Demographic focus
- Not published
- Backers
- AllegisCyber, Allianz, Yahoo Japan, KDT
- Notable alumni
- ReFirm Labs, Code Dx, Attila Security
Terms notes: Foundry/startup-studio model: co-builds and seed-invests in cybersecurity companies (typically drawing founders from the NSA/intelligence-community talent pool around Ft. Meade). Investment amounts and equity are negotiated per company and not published on the site, hence nulls. Annual DataTribe Challenge (free to enter; a signature program of the DataTribe-run Cyber Innovation Conference): 2026 submissions closed September 11; finalists are announced October 2; five finalists pitch October 27, 2026 at the conference in Washington, DC for a share of $25,000 in prize money. The old datatribe.com/challenge page now returns 404. Exits include ReFirm Labs (Microsoft), Code Dx (Synopsys), Attila Security (ID Technologies).
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Terms in plain English
DataTribe is a cyber startup foundry, not a classic cohort accelerator. It co-builds and seed-invests in cybersecurity companies, taking equity in exchange for capital and hands-on company building, with investment size and equity negotiated per company and not published. Its annual DataTribe Challenge, a signature program of the DataTribe-run Cyber Innovation Conference, is a free-to-enter pitch competition for pre-seed and seed cyber startups: five finalists get messaging workshops with DataTribe coaches, pitch live at the conference, and share $25,000 in prize money.
Who this is actually for
Founders building deep-tech cybersecurity companies, often with roots in the intelligence community around Fort Meade, who want a hands-on co-building and investing partner rather than a short cohort program. The Challenge suits pre-seed and seed-stage cyber and cyber-adjacent startups seeking visibility and a shot at prize money.
DataTribe (Cyber Foundry & DataTribe Challenge) application deadlines
DataTribe Challenge 2026 (9th Annual): Applications close Sep 11, 2026.
Verified Jul 22, 2026Source
Frequently asked questions
- When is the next DataTribe (Cyber Foundry & DataTribe Challenge) application deadline?
- No upcoming application window is published for DataTribe (Cyber Foundry & DataTribe Challenge). We last verified this on Oct 1, 2026.
- How much does DataTribe (Cyber Foundry & DataTribe Challenge) invest?
- DataTribe (Cyber Foundry & DataTribe Challenge) does not publish an investment amount, so we record it as not published.
- How much equity does DataTribe (Cyber Foundry & DataTribe Challenge) take?
- DataTribe (Cyber Foundry & DataTribe Challenge) does not publish the equity it takes, so we record it as not published.
- Where is DataTribe (Cyber Foundry & DataTribe Challenge) located and is it in person?
- DataTribe (Cyber Foundry & DataTribe Challenge) is based in Fulton, MD and runs an in person program.
- Is DataTribe (Cyber Foundry & DataTribe Challenge) still active?
- As of our last check on Oct 1, 2026, DataTribe (Cyber Foundry & DataTribe Challenge) is active.
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Sources
Everything above was checked against these, verified Oct 1, 2026.