GISEC Global 2024 to welcome the biggest gathering of cybersecurity start-ups in MENA region

Dubai, United Arab Emirates: GISEC Global 2024, Middle East and Africa’s largest and most impactful cybersecurity event, is set to host the two-day GISEC Cyber Stars – Unlock Pitch Competition for over 100+ global cybersecurity start-ups, making it the biggest gathering of its kind across the region.

Running from 23-24 April, GISEC Cyber Stars will provide a platform for participants to present their ideas and solutions in front of a global audience of cybersecurity leaders. With a total prize pool of AED100,000, GISEC Cyber Stars is poised to transform the future of cybersecurity innovation by equipping and empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs.

The competition spans five categories, including Best Global Start-up, Best Regional Start-up, Best Emirati Start-up, Best Innovative Idea, and Best Innovative Idea (Academia). Each category is designed to celebrate the diverse groups of people contributing to the growth of the cybersecurity industry, including local and global start-ups, young minds, Emirati entrepreneurs, and university students, while fostering collaborations within the ecosystem.

GISEC Cyber Stars will also introduce for the first time Mentorship Labs, a special feature that aims to guide start-ups through dedicated Q&As with industry veterans, experienced founders, venture capitalists, angel investors, and more, ensuring that all participants have access to an international network of industry knowledge and expertise.

The competition will culminate in an awards ceremony hosted on April 25 on the Global CyberDrill stage. The winners will be felicitated by H.E. Dr. Mohamed Al-Kuwaiti, Head of Cyber Security of the United Arab Emirates Government.

International start-ups showcasing revolutionary solutions in 2024:

Held under the theme of ‘AI-Driven Cyber Resilience’, GISEC Global 2024 will take place at Dubai World Trade Centre from 23-25 April and will see over 750 of the world’s biggest cybersecurity companies, as well as 350-plus InfoSec speakers and 1,000 international ethical hackers convene in the UAE to address the AI-related challenges and trends shaping the future of the cybersecurity industry.

ACUTIV, Black Bullet, Filigran, SARD Anti-Cheat, and KoCyber are only some of the 100-plus start-ups attending the exhibition and taking part in the Cyber Stars’ UnLocK Pitch Competition. Each company is attempting to fill a gap in the market and advance the speed, accuracy, and automation of cybersecurity technologies.

“NextHook, which replaces passive learning methods with an interactive phishing simulation game, addresses the lack of affordable and tailored solutions for start-ups and small businesses,” said Asmaa Kotb, CEO of KoCyber. “Understanding that these entities face unique challenges with limited resources, NextHook offers a scalable and accessible solution that bridges the divide and enables effective digital protection in a gamified way.”

Asmaa Kotb, CEO of KoCyber:

The Co-Founder of ACUTIV, Bilal Khalid, echoed a similar sentiment when describing his start-up’s business model: “Businesses struggle to access cybersecurity consulting services due to cost, lack of awareness, resource constraints, complexities, and trust issues. For the last two decades, the approach and tools used for traditional advisory services have been ad-hoc, slow, and primitive. At ACUTIV, we embody the future of cybersecurity consultation.”

Bilal Khaled, Co-Founder of ACUTIV:

“We view GISEC Global as a platform to immerse ourselves in the latest cybersecurity innovations, connect with industry experts, and explore collaborations that can propel our mission forward,” said Alexander Hautyunyan, Co-Founder and CEO of SARD Anti-Cheat. “We are here to forge lasting connections and contribute to the global conversation around cybersecurity to create a safer, more secure digital future for all.”

Alexander Hautyunyan, Co-Founder and CEO of SARD Anti-Cheat:

Other start-ups – such as Filigran, which develops cutting-edge solutions for cyber threat management, and Black Bullet, which secures companies’ digital footprints – are seeking to gain a deeper insight into the regional obstacles and opportunities impacting the industry

“With its diverse and global attendance, GISEC offers an excellent opportunity for Filigran to explore new market needs. We are particularly interested in understanding the unique cybersecurity challenges faced by businesses in the region and how our solutions can be adapted to meet these needs,” said Samuel Hassine, CEO and Co-Founder of Filigran.

Samuel Hassine, CEO and Co-Founder of Filigran:

Madalin Staniu, the Founder of Romanian-run Black Bullet, shared a similar perspective. “We would like to connect with specialists and counterparts in the market that our solutions can complement, and to discover new ways of helping each other. Cybersecurity is a domain where we need to help each other, rather than be opponents.”

Madalin Staniu, the Founder of Romanian-run Black Bullet:

GISEC Global 2024 marks its 13th edition with the biggest gathering of start-ups in MENA region.

About GISEC Global:

GISEC Global, Middle East and Africa’s largest and most impactful cybersecurity event, will return to Dubai World Trade Centre for its 13th edition taking place from 23-25 April 2024. Following the monumental success of 2023, the super-connector event for the region’s cybersecurity industry will bring together over 20,000 attendees, 750 exhibiting brands and 350-plus speakers hailing from over 130 countries. GISEC Global stands as the unrivalled platform for navigating the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity.

About Dubai World Trade Centre:

With a vision to make Dubai the world’s leading destination for all major exhibitions, conferences and events, DWTC has evolved from being the regional forerunner of the fast-growing MICE industry into a multi-dimensional business catalyst, focusing on Venues, Events and Real Estate Management. Complementary to the primary service offerings are a range of value-added services from media/advertising, engineering and technical consultation and wedding planning, security, and hospitality.