The ATHENE Accelerator Program SpeedUpSecure was created to support cybersecurity startups that offer an innovative solution and are in an early founding phase with a variety of resources as well as qualification and networking opportunities.

Five cyber startups qualified for this year’s SpeedUpSecure accelerator program and completed a six-week program from mid-May to early July, featuring specialized training, networking opportunities, and individual mentoring. On June 17, the time had come: during the Final Pitch Day, the teams pitched their ideas to a distinguished jury and an expert audience, competing for a total prize pool of €17,500.

The winning teams are:
1st Place (€10,000): Complioty

2nd Place (€5,000): Zealience

3rd Place (€2,500): Contexxt.AI

We would like to thank Schwarz Digits, a division of the Schwarz Group, for supporting the accelerator.

Jury Members

Dr. Alexander Schellong
Managing Director Schwarz Digits

Dr.Maurice Kügler
Senior Investment Manager High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF)

Maria Pennanen
CEO/Angel Investor/ Entrepreneur/ Author/ Speaker/ Board Member/EUs TOP 50 influential women in Startups and VC

Julia Hermann
CISO infodas

Dr. Judith Wunschik
Global Head of Cyber­security Siemens Energy

Press release (german)

Startups of the Accelerator Program 2024:

Fourth Batch 2024

Final Pitch Day 2024:

Press Release

The Accelerator StartUpSecure | ATHENE 2024 was organized with the support of the partner incubators at CISPA in Saarbrücken, StartUpSecure KASTEL in Karlsruhe, and cube5 in Bochum.

We would like to thank our partner Schwarz Digits KG for their support.