Call for Submissions: CyberBay Summit Pitch Contests
Fueling the next generation of cybersecurity and AI innovators across Florida and the Southeast.
$100,000 in Non-Dilutive Funding + Venture Capital Opportunities
Constructing the Scaffolding for Success
Tampa Bay is rapidly emerging as a center of excellence for technology. Building a world-class hub requires a deliberate, interconnected support system designed to nurture ideas from conception to commercialization.
CyberBay is a multi-faceted ecosystem centered on cybersecurity and AI that inspires and accelerates technological innovation. By bringing together premier accelerator partnerships—including Tampa Bay Wave and Embarc Collective—and integrating them with the investment community, we provide ambitious tech founders with world-class mentorship, critical infrastructure, and scaling capital.
The Main Event: March CyberBay Summit Pitch Contests
The culmination of our innovation drive features a dynamic, high-stakes pitch showcase at our upcoming March CyberBay Summit. The event features two distinct pitch tracks tailored to early-stage growth: Pre-Seed and Seed. Founders will present their solutions to a distinguished judging panel for non-dilutive capital and potential equity funding.
Pitch Tracks & Non-Dilutive Capital
$30,000
$70,000
Strategic Venture Capital Partner: Florida Funders
CyberBay is proud to partner with Florida Funders to support both showcase tracks.
About Florida Funders
A leading venture capital firm and accredited investor network with ~$300M in assets under management across four funds and a portfolio of over 115 companies. They focus on B2B SaaS, enterprise AI, cybersecurity, and fintech.
Partnering Initiative
For this showcase, Florida Funders is partnering with Florida First Check to support early-stage technology founders across the state.
Equity Capital Opportunities
Beyond the non-dilutive prizes, Florida Funders’ executive team will evaluate showcase participants to identify standout organizations for their rigorous vetting process for substantial equity funding.
Investment & Pitch Criteria
Submissions will be evaluated by our judging panel against the following core criteria:
Regional Focus
Applying organizations must be based in Florida or the broader Southeast United States.
The Founder Factor
Track record, professional credentials, and overall vision of the founder(s) and core team.
Market Viability & Momentum
- Pre-Seed Stage: Clear, highly logical, and data-informed case for future product-market fit.
- Seed Stage: Tangible evidence of product-market fit, early marketplace momentum, and realistic, data-backed Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) projections.
Impactful Innovation
Technology that distinctly advances the practice of cybersecurity for a large, definable market segment.
Key Dates & Application Process
- Step 1: Review Criteria & Prepare Pitch Materials
- Step 2: Submit Application Online Application
- Application Deadline: December 15, 2026 (Strict Deadline)
- Finalist Pitch Showcase at the CyberBay Summit in March
Important Note: All submissions must be submitted through our official registration portal.
Ready to Scale Your Venture?
Do not miss your chance to secure capital, gain elite exposure, and build valuable ecosystem partnerships. Join us at the CyberBay Summit and let’s secure the future together.