investing in the future of cybersecurity
SVCI is a group of Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) that operates as an angel investor syndicate. Our mission is to fuel the next generation of cybersecurity innovation by identifying promising early-stage startups, investing in them, and using our unmatched industry expertise to help them thrive.
Who we are
We are a close-knit group of leading cybersecurity professionals from various industries and companies across the US. We came together to form SVCI because we're passionate about early-stage technology and its ability to solve complex challenges. We already play a big role in the industry as thought leaders and buyers, but we are well aware that this is not enough. We're excited to be actively involved in shaping the next generation of cybersecurity solutions through personal investments and mentorship.
As a group, SVCI is built on the following pillars:
security leaders
Our members are seasoned and senior security leaders with deep domain expertise. Each of us has a proven executive track record and has evaluated, purchased, and used hundreds of cybersecurity solutions.
Diverse industries
We bring in perspectives from various sectors spanning Fortune 500 companies and fast-moving unicorns. This uniquely positions us to understand the cybersecurity market and advise companies operating in it.
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SUCCESS CATALYSTS
Since our members are personally invested through SVCI, they go to great lengths to see SVCI founders thrive post-investment. Our vast coverage includes the likes of group ideation, 1:1 feedback, networking, and more.
svci By the numbers
60
Active
CISOs
2019
Founding year
16
Portfolio companies to date
HOW WE OPERATE
CISO
BACKED
SVCI was founded to allow CISOs to influence the cybersecurity industry by backing startups they believe in. SVCI members must be personally invited to the syndicate, vouched for, and vetted by existing members. The result is a highly-curated group of passionate CISOs.
ANGEL
INVESTORS
SVCI usually invests several hundreds of thousands of dollars and does not ask for board seats. Our members hold themselves to a high level of ethics which includes managing potential and actual conflicts of interest appropriately. SVCI put together processes for transparency and integrity for members to follow with their employers, and startups engaging with SVCI should not be viewing the relationship as deal flow.
process
driven
SVCI's investment strategy was formed and is driven by its members. We continuously assess potential investment opportunities and invite a small subset of them to present in front of SVCI. We then execute a diligence process and finally make an investment decision.
NOT A VC FIRM
While SVCI members personally invest in the startups they choose, SVCI as an angel syndicate is powered by GGV Capital, a $9.2B global multi-stage VC firm. Nonetheless, SVCI makes decisions and operates independently and an investment from one is not a pre-requisite for the other.
