RSA Conference is looking for companies innovating in information security. Is that you?
Every year, RSA Conference showcases 10 companies with innovative information security products as part of its Innovation Sandbox Contest. RSA Conference 2015 marks the tenth year of the competition, and to mark that milestone, we asked past winners how they've fared over the past few years.
During Innovation Sandbox, teams from each company present and demonstrate their product in front a panel of judges and answer questions. The winner is named “Most Innovative Company at RSA Conference.” Check out the Gallery of Victors to see the list of past winners.
End-user threat protection company Invincea won the "Most Innovative Company at RSA Conference 2011" crown. Since then, the company has inked an OEM partnership with Dell and raised $45 million from investors. RSA Conference asked Anup Ghosh, CEO and founder of Invincea, to talk about the team's experience during Innovation Sandbox and what the company was up to in this Q&A.
RSA Conference: What was the biggest benefit of winning Innovation Sandbox?
Ghosh: Innovation Sandbox is now a well-recognized showcase for emerging companies with innovative and potentially disruptive products. Winning it is a nod from a distinguished panel and great brand that your company is innovating in security.
RSA Conference: What was the biggest benefit of participating in the Innovation Sandbox contest?
Ghosh: Being a featured company in the Innovation Sandbox is a great way for emerging stage companies to get a bit of the limelight on their products.
RSA Conference: What did you learn as part of your experience with the contest?
Ghosh: That where you're from, who your VCs are, and who you are doesn't really matter. If you have a great game changing idea you can bring to market in the form of a product, then you can be a winner.
RSA Conference: What would you say to someone thinking about entering the contest?
Ghosh: Enter if you have a game changing idea, not just another me too product.
RSA Conference: It’s been a few years since your win. Has the experience in the contest, or winning the contest influenced the company’s growth in the years since?
Ghosh: Winning was validation that we were on the right track with a game changing approach to protecting networks against advanced threats...I can't point to particular numbers, deals or VC investment that happened because of the Innovation Sandbox, but winning it helped validate Invincea for prospective buyers and investors.
If your company is doing something innovative in information security, check out the submission guidelines. Also make sure to take a look at comments from past winners such as Sourcefire, Remotium, and Appthority. Hope to see you in April!