VirtualMetric and Attic Security Winners ECSO Cyber Investors Days 2024

On 3 October, the ECSO Cyber Investor Days 2024 Dutch edition was held at the HSD Campus during Cyber Security Week in The Hague. Ten of Europe’s leading cybersecurity start-ups had the opportunity to present their cutting-edge solutions to a distinguished panel of expert judges. Following these presentations, two stand-out start-ups, VirtualMetric and Attic Security were nominated for the ECSO STARtup Award 2025, setting the stage for further competition at the European level. 

The event, part of HSD’s Access to Capital initiative, was co-organised by ECSO, InnovationQuarter, TIN Capital, KPN Ventures, the City of The Hague, Women4Cyber, and Security Delta (HSD). This collaboration provided cybersecurity entrepreneurs a vital platform to meet and network with investors, alongside matchmaking opportunities with leading cybersecurity firms from across Europe and beyond. 

Pioneering Cybersecurity Solutions 

The featured start-ups included RiskApp, Yokai, Passguard, Attic Security, Knock Knock, VirtualMetric, BlackStork, GATACA, CyberDanube, and Bifrost Security. These innovative businesses pitched their cybersecurity solutions to an expert panel, hoping to secure funding and partnerships that could drive them to the next stage of development. 

Access to Capital 

Joris den Bruinen, the director of Security Delta (HSD), emphasised the significance of the event: “By collaborating with ECSO, InnovationQuarter, KPN Ventures, and TIN Capital/Dutch Security TechFund, we are building international bridges between start-ups, scale-ups, and investors at Dutch and European level. As part of HSD's Access to Capital initiative, these events provide crucial access to capital and business opportunities to scale,” said den Bruinen. 

The day’s agenda included several B2B meetings and a fireside chat focusing on "Addressing the CISO’s Risk Appetite." The panel featured prominent speakers like Jeroen Schipper (CISO at Municipality The Hague), Paul Moreno (CISO, Advisor & Investor - ao. previously CISO at Catawiki), Luisella ten Pierik (CISO at Stedin), Sabika Ishaq (CISO at Grant Thornton), and Raymond Bierens (Chairman of the Board at Connect2Trust). 

ECSO STARtup Award 2025 Finalists 

The Dutch edition of the ECSO Cyber Investor Days selected VirtualMetric and Attic Security as finalists to compete in the European Cybersecurity STARtup Award 2025, which will be held in early 2025. These start-ups will have the chance to pitch their solutions to a European jury and showcase their technologies to top investors, corporate leaders, and cybersecurity experts. 

The Judges Panel 

The competition jury was comprised of: 

• Marcel van Leent, CISO at ABN AMRO Clearing 

• Roel Reijnen, Partner at TIN Capital European Cyber Tech Fund 

• Emmarique Delahaije, Investment Manager at KPN Ventures 

• Olivier van der Lande, Investment Manager at InnovationQuarter 

• Gonçalo Borges, Principal at 33N Ventures 

• Pieter Jansen, SVP of Cyber Innovation at Darktrace 

A Hub for Cybersecurity in Europe 

The Cyber Investor Days was part of Cyber Security Week 2024, a key event held in The Hague, which also included the renowned ONE Conference at the World Forum. As the international city of Peace, Justice and Security,  The Hague plays a pivotal role in the European cybersecurity landscape. With institutions such as Europol’s European Cybercrime Centre and NATO Communications and Information Agency, alongside a vibrant community of businesses and agencies, The Hague is cementing its place as a key European cybersecurity hub. 

The Security Delta (HSD) ecosystem, with its 300 public and private partners, serves as a core element of this thriving community, fostering collaboration and providing access to knowledge, talent, and capital for the next generation of cybersecurity innovators.