Meet the Cyber Startup Elite: Are you The Next Security Trailblazer Who Is Changing the Game? Previous Winner Security Posted by Rose Ross | 22/07/2025 It’s hard to believe that the Security Trailblazers category has been around since we first launched the Tech Trailblazers Awards in 2012. Thirteen years on (gulp – where has the time gone?!), it remains one of our most fiercely competitive and exciting categories. Since day one, this award has spotlighted the brightest sparks in cybersecurity – many of whom have gone on to do very big things. We’re talking IPOs, mega funding rounds, and blockbuster acquisitions. So, if you’re a cyber startup with bold ambitions and tech to match, consider this your official invite to join our exclusive club of cyber legends. Let’s take a little victory lap through our Security Trailblazers Hall of Fame, shall we? 2013 Zscaler Back then, they were just getting started with Series A funding. Fast forward a year and they’d raised $110M with a valuation close to $900M. Less than five years later – IPO’d, unicorn status secured, and a first-day valuation of $1.9 billion. Not too shabby. 2014 Zerofox Fresh from its Series A, Zerofox raised $27M the year after winning and kept going strong, raising a total of $159M. IPO followed in 2021, and in 2024 they were snapped up by Haveli Investments for a cool $350M. 2015 Coronet When they won, they hadn’t even raised VC money yet. Fast forward to now and Coronet has banked $275M in funding, with a whopping $100M Series D in 2024 led by One Peak. 2016 Veriflow Came to us straight after their Series A, and three years later – acquired by VMware. Another tick for the Trailblazers effect. 2017 Zingbox With Series B backing from Dell Technologies Capital and TriVentures, Zingbox got scooped up by Palo Alto Networks that same year for $75M. 2018 Aqua Security Six months after winning, they locked in $62M Series C. Since then? Three more rounds and a total of $287M raised. Splashy, indeed. 2019 ShiftLeft / Qwiet AI Rebranded but still fighting the good fight. Most recently raised $29M in Series C – and still pushing the boundaries of AppSec. 2020 (and runners-up in 2023) Abnormal Security Absolutely on fire. After their win, they raised £256M Series C led by Insight Partners, and in 2024 added a $250M+ Series D led by Wellington. Total raised since winning? $506M. Current valuation? Just shy of $5 billion. 2021 Salt Security Three months after their win, they raised $140M in Series D. Talk about seizing the momentum. 2022 & 2023 NoName Security A rare double winner, and rightly so. This API security powerhouse has just been acquired by Akamai for $450M. Bravo, team NoName. 2024 Risk Ledger Our most recent winner. A British supply chain security startup with big ambitions. Keep your eyes peeled for our upcoming Founders on Fire podcast featuring CEO Haydn Brooks and Chief of Staff Emily Hodges (who also happened to be our Female CxO runner-up). Not a bad alumni list, right? These aren’t just wins for the companies – they’re wins for the industry, showing that early-stage cyber innovation can scale massively with the right recognition and momentum. And that’s exactly what the Tech Trailblazers Awards are all about: shining a light on the startups shaping the future. So, if you’re a cyber startup with the spark, the vision, and the tech to back it up – what are you waiting for? Join the Security Trailblazers club today. We’re saving a seat for you. Deadline is 29th August. Submit your entry now #TrailblazeOn