News about Global Security Challenge

Mentioned previously on DV, the Global Security Challenge is a business plan competition focused on innovative companies in the security technology sector. I have been invited to be a judge in this year's competition and will be participating in the regional rounds coming up in August. Of course I am honored to be a part of the GSC event, and I look forward to the experience.

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If you know of a company interested in competing for the $500K prize, the application deadline has now been extended. From GSC:

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The 5th annual Start-Up and SME competitions of the GSC are now open for applications until July 7, 2010 (deadline extended to Aug 6^th 2010 ). Join the ranks of our previous finalists and winners, who raised over $78 million in fresh capital via our challenges and events. Winners receive $500,000 USD in awards. Apply Today!

Technical Support Working Group

A few notes of interest. First, here is a fundamental reason we like this sector (among others). Today while reading that the Global Security Challenge is now accepting entries for its 5th Annual Best Security Startup Competition, we noticed that the program is partially sponsored -- with $200K of the award money -- by the Technical Support Working Group (TSWG). They are part of the U.S. Combating Terrorism Technical Support Office (CTTSO). So, if you want to find out what technologies the U.S. military is looking for, just go to the TSWG for a full list:

• Chemical, Biological, Radiological, & Nuclear Countermeasures
• Improvised Device Defeat
• Investigative Support & Forensics
• Personnel Protection
• Physical Security
• Tactical Operations Support
• Training Technology Development

Each of those top level categories has between 2-6 technology subgroups, each with very detailed descriptions of existing technologies and future needs. Back on the CTTSO site there is also a specific area advertising business opportunities for technologies ready for commercialization. Very informative, and I would argue that very few if any other industries offer entrepreneurs as much openness and proactive information about customers' most pressing acquisitions requirements.

One more note: thanks to everyone so far that has participated in the Defense Ventures Content Survey. Great feedback so far. So those seeing this for the first time, look below to a previous post or on the right side menu here for a link to the survey. This will help me target content and develop future products that you are most interested in seeing --- so thanks in advance!!

Global Security Challenge

I recently had the pleasure of talking over the phone with Simon Schneider, the UK based founder of Global Security Challenge. GSC is a start-up & business plan competition with the stated aim "to find the most

promising security and defence start-ups in the world."

 

Simon is a smart, energetic guy with strong insights into this sector, especially on the security tehcnology side. The competition places him at the middle of an active network of engineers, entrepreneurs, and investors. For more info I have posted a copy of his report entitled Innovation Trends in Cyber Security, and for more information be sure to check out his website.