The Shift
We're flipping the model
The Old Model
Treat practitioner networks as a free advisory pipe
Chase pedigree and pattern-matching over real signal
Ignore buyer intent until Series B due diligence
The CISO Network Model
Active practitioners stress-test founders weekly — real feedback, not theory
Practitioner validation = direct buyer intent from budget holders
Get signal at seed stage, before the market catches up
The Process
How it works
01
Founders Present
Early-stage security founders bring their products to our CISO community for structured evaluation sessions.
02
Practitioners Stress-Test
Active CISOs evaluate enterprise readiness, challenge assumptions, and validate whether the problem is real and budget-worthy.
03
You Get Signal
Partners receive direct buyer-intent data — named founders, practitioner commentary, and validation scores — before the market moves.
Partnership Tiers
Choose your level of access
Annual partnerships. Cancel anytime after year 1. All tiers include access to the CISO Network practitioner community.
Observer
$55,000
per year
- Quarterly deal flow reports (anonymized)
- Access to CISO Network Startup Corner listings
- 1 seat at annual VC + CISO roundtable
- Newsletter feature (1×/year)
MOST POPULAR
Signal
$65,000
per year
- Everything in Observer, plus:
- Monthly practitioner validation reports (named founders)
- 2 seats at quarterly VC + CISO roundtables
- Direct intro to 3 pre-validated founders/quarter
- Co-branded "CISO Network Validated" badge for portfolio companies
- Newsletter feature (quarterly)
PREMIUM
Anchor
$85,000
per year
- Everything in Signal, plus:
- Weekly deal flow briefings with CISO commentary
- Unlimited roundtable seats
- Named sponsor of CISO Network Startup Corner
- Speaking slot at 1 CISO Network event/year
- Direct line to Brad Haizlett for founder intros
- Logo on homepage and marketplace
Why Now
"Too many investors treat independent security networks as a free, one-way advisory pipe, or ignore practitioner signal entirely to chase pedigree and pattern-matching. We are flipping that model. When active, practitioner-led CISOs validate a solution, it isn't theoretical — it's direct buyer intent."Brad HaizlettFounder — CISO Network
500+ Active CISOs
Budget-holding practitioners
Weekly Evaluations
Real-time founder stress-tests
17 Vendor Categories
Full cybersecurity stack coverage
Apply Now
Start your partnership
Complete the form below. We'll review your application and follow up with an invoice within 24 hours.
FAQ
Common questions
Ready to access real deal flow signal?
Join the investors who are already getting practitioner-validated cybersecurity deal flow from 500+ active CISOs.