Innovation Sandbox: The Startup Contest Shaping Tomorrow's Security, Today
Each year, hundreds of startups submit to the RSAC™ Innovation Sandbox (ISB) contest for a chance at the title of "Most Innovative Startup." Only 10 are named a Top 10 Finalist and earn a spot to pitch live in front of an elite judging panel at RSA Conference™.
21 years
200+ finalists
1,000+ applicants
$17b raised
$50.1b+ in exit value
Think your startup has what it takes to be a top 10 finalist?
Submissions for Innovation Sandbox 2027 will Open on December 1.
Register for a live session to learn about the Innovation Sandbox submission process firsthand from those who manage it. Get best practices for creating your video, learn more about the judging panel and how they evaluate the submissions, and ask all your questions of the experts.
What You Win
ISB Top 10 Finalists Receive:
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$5M uncapped SAFE investment—to fuel your next phase of growth with a founder-friendly investment
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The main stage—pitch live to an elite judging panel and 1,000+ industry insiders
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Pitch-ready coaching—from pros who'll sharpen your story until it lands
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Multi-channel visibility—your logo across RSAC web pages, plus podcast and channel promotion
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A seat at the table—membership to the RSAC™ Founders' Circle, with invites to private events
Plus, the Winner Receives:
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A turnkey kiosk in the RSAC™ Early Stage Expo—instant visibility with Conference attendees
-
Media interviews to amplify your story
-
The title of "Most Innovative Startup 2027"—bragging rights that open doors
Think your startup has what it takes to be a top 10 finalist?
Submissions for Innovation Sandbox 2027 will Open on December 1
ISB Top 10 Finalists Recieve:
-
$5M uncapped SAFE investment—to fuel your next phase of growth with a Founder-Friendly investment
-
The main stage—pitch live to an elite judging panel and 1,000+ industry insiders
-
Pitch-ready coaching—from pros who'll sharpen your story until it lands
-
Multi-channel visibility—your logo across RSAC webpages, plus podcast and channel promotion
-
A seat at the table—membership to the RSAC™ Founders' Circle, with invites to private events
-
-
Plus, the Winner Receives:
-
A turnkey kiosk in the RSAC™ Early Stage Expo—instant visibility with Conference attendees
-
Media interviews to amplify your story
-
The title of "Most Innovative Startup 2027"—bragging rights that open doors
Find Out If You Qualify:
The following must apply to your product:
- Launched between December 1, 2025 and January 10, 2027
- Takes an original and sound approach to solving a problem
- Matches an identified problem in the cybersecurity marketplace
- Has the potential to make a significant impact on information security
- Is validated through a client's purchase and implementation of product
The following must apply to your company:
- Has implemented a plan or has a go-to-market strategy in place to execute delivery of product commercially
- Has a strong management structure and team in place
- Is privately held with less than $5M in Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR)
"Privately held" means the shares of the company are controlled by a small number of shareholders and are not publicly traded. Company must not be an Affiliate of an entity whose shares are publicly traded. Affiliate shall mean a legal entity that is controlled by, controls, or is under common control with the company. "Control" means more than 20% of the voting power or ownership interests.
Capital Commitment
$5M Changes Everything
Skip years of trial and error with funding gets you there faster. Turn capital into momentum so you can invest directly in branding, hiring, and growth.
A $5M Founder-Friendly SAFE
Each Top 10 Finalist receives a $5M uncapped, founder-friendly SAFE from Crosspoint Capital.
2026 RSAC Innovation Sandbox Contest Winner
Geordie AI Is Changing the Game in Agentic AI Security
Geordie AI was selected for its security and governance platform purpose—built for AI agents where enterprises get a deep, real-time understanding of their agentic footprint, the ability to observe agent posture and behavior, and natively identify and mitigate risk within their agents to safely scale agentic innovation.
What ISB Unlocked for Us
Founders from past cohorts describe how RSAC Innovation Sandbox elevated their visibility, earned them credibility with enterprise buyers, and connected them to founder-friendly capital.
Founders’ Circle: Keeping Innovators Connected
Innovation doesn't stop after the competition. Founders' Circle keeps Innovation Sandbox alumni connected through exclusive networking, collaboration, and ongoing opportunities to grow.
Not Quite Ready for ISB?
Check out RSAC™ Launch Pad, the program for nascent-stage startups to pitch to venture capitalists.