CyberBay Launches $100,000 Innovation Showcase to Back the Southeast’s Next Cybersecurity Breakthroughs

Pre-seed and seed-stage founders will compete for non-dilutive capital at CyberBay Summit 2027

TAMPA, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CyberBay today announced a new pitch competition offering $100,000 in non-dilutive funding to catalyze cybersecurity growth and innovation. Pre-seed and seed-stage founders will compete at CyberBay Summit 2027 and present their companies to regional investors and technology leaders.

The Innovation Showcase will be a centerpiece of the Summit, scheduled for March 22–24 in Tampa, as the region cements its role as a national center for cybersecurity and AI excellence. The winning pre-seed company will receive $30,000, while the seed-stage winner will receive $70,000. The awards will be provided by Bellini Capital.

CyberBay is partnering with Florida Funders on both tracks to connect standout founders with experienced investors at a critical point in their growth. Florida Funders’ investment team will help evaluate selected companies and may invite promising ventures to advance through a review process for potential equity investment. Any resulting investment by Florida Funders would be separate from the competition’s $100,000 in non-dilutive awards and subject to the firm’s standard diligence and approval process.

“As a national center of cybersecurity excellence, Tampa is home to great cybersecurity innovators – but a breakthrough solution only makes a difference if it gets into the hands of people who need it,” said Ernie Ferraresso, co-chair of the CyberBay Advisory Board. “Through CyberBay, we’re connecting founders with Tampa Bay’s research institutions and investment community to help make that happen. This competition puts capital behind that commitment and helps founders take the next step toward bringing their technology to market.”

Competition Tracks

- Pre-Seed: For early-stage founders who can define the cybersecurity problem they are addressing and present a clear, evidence-based case for future product-market fit.

- Seed: For companies with a working product or prototype, early commercial validation and a need for capital to expand operations or begin go-to-market efforts.

Eligibility and Evaluation

Applicants must be based in Florida or the broader Southeast United States. Judges will assess the founding team’s experience and vision, the strength of the company’s case for product-market fit, evidence of market demand and the technology’s potential to deliver a meaningful advance in cybersecurity for a clearly defined market.

Seed-stage applicants should provide evidence of early market momentum and realistic, data-supported projections for annual recurring revenue. Pre-seed applicants should present a logical, research-based case for future market demand.

“Florida and the Southeast have a growing number of talented cybersecurity founders building solutions to real-world challenges,” said Saxon Baum, Managing Partner at Florida Funders. “CyberBay provides a great opportunity to connect with these companies early, help them gain exposure to investors and industry leaders, and identify promising businesses that could become the next generation of cybersecurity leaders.”

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted through CyberBay’s official registration site by Dec. 15, 2026. Competition rules, application requirements and Summit information are available at [link to be provided. Selected founders will have the opportunity to put their technology, business case and growth potential before an audience positioned to help accelerate what comes next.

About CyberBay

CyberBay is a cybersecurity and AI ecosystem that brings together industry, government, education and innovation partners to strengthen digital security and support technology development. The initiative is powered by the University of South Florida, Cyber Florida, Bellini Capital, and the USF Bellini College of AI, Cybersecurity, and Computing.

About Florida Funders

Florida Funders is a Tampa-based venture capital firm and accredited investor network that invests in early-stage B2B technology companies. The firm backs companies from pre-seed through Series B and is currently investing through Fund 3. Florida Funders also manages Florida First Check, an evergreen pre-seed investment strategy created with the Institute for Commercialization of Florida Technology.