Cyber for Startups
Make cybersecurity your competitive advantage, from day one.
Cyber for Startups is a program designed to help Canadian technology startups embed security into their products, operations, and go-to-market strategies from day one.
Overview of the program
Cyber for Startups equips early- to mid-stage technology startups with the cybersecurity knowledge needed to embed security by design into their go-to-market strategy, boosting their procurement and investment readiness.
This hands-on program is designed to help startups build secure products, reduce risk, and scale with confidence in competitive and regulated markets.
Delivered in partnership with innovation hubs across Canada, the program includes interactive workshops, practical templates and tools, and coaching to help companies assess their current cybersecurity posture and develop a tailored roadmap toward security and resilience.
Embedding security from day one isn’t just about protection —it’s a cost-effective investment that prevents technical debt, safeguards customer trust, and accelerates long-term scalability. This program helps startups move faster from early-stage development to enterprise readiness by aligning security with growth objectives.
The Cyber for Startups program is offered at no cost.
Program details & locations
Cyber for Startups: Brampton
Delivered in partnership with the City of Brampton and the Brampton Innovation District
Date: October 20, 2026, 8:30AM–5PM
Location: In person, Brampton City Hall
Cost: Free
Cyber for Startups: Online
Powered by RBC
Date: October–November 2026 (4 weeks)
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Cyber for Startups: Vancouver
Powered by RBC
Date: November 2026
Location: In person, TBC
Cost: Free
Is this program right for you?
Cyber for Startups is designed for early- to mid-stage Canadian technology companies looking to strengthen their cyber posture and prepare for enterprise growth.
This program is ideal for startups that:
- Are building or scaling technology products
- Are preparing to sell into regulated or enterprise markets
- Need to integrate cybersecurity into product development and operations
- Want to improve investor and procurement readiness through strong security practices
What you’ll learn
Participants will:
Who we’re looking for
Growth-oriented Canadian technology startups that are:
- Solving real-world, high-impact problems
- Positioned to scale within regulated industries
- Looking to build a security roadmap that integrates with a go-to-market strategy
- Demonstrating traction with enterprise customers, either actively selling or preparing to sell into regulated markets
FAQs
Who should apply to Cyber for Startups?
This program is designed for growth-oriented Canadian technology startups that:
- Are solving real-world, high-impact problems
- Operate or plan to operate in regulated industries
- Are actively selling, or preparing to sell, to enterprise or public sector customers
- Want to integrate cybersecurity into their product, operations, and go-to-market strategy
What does the Cyber for Startups program include?
Participants will receive access to practical templates, structured assessments, and expert instruction to help apply cybersecurity best practices directly to their business model.
Is prior cybersecurity experience required?
No prior formal cybersecurity training is required. This program is designed for leadership teams who are committed to embedding cybersecurity into their strategy and operations.
Technical founders, product leaders, and executives responsible for compliance, risk, or growth will benefit most.
What makes this program different from other cybersecurity training?
Cyber for Startups is tailored specifically to early- and mid-stage technology companies. Unlike general cybersecurity training, this program focuses on integrating cybersecurity into:
- Product development
- Regulatory readiness
- Enterprise procurement processes
- Investor due diligence
- Long-term scaling strategies
It connects cybersecurity directly to growth, resilience, and competitive advantage within the Canadian innovation ecosystem.
Which delivery of the program makes the most sense to apply to?
If you are located near one of our in-person workshops, you’ll get the benefit of a single day of instruction with a cohort of like-minded founders and industry partners to network with. If an online environment works better for you, you can apply to that program, which will take place over four weeks, on Zoom.
How much does the Cyber for Startups program cost?
Cyber for Startups is fully funded and offered at no cost to participating startups. Thanks to the generous support of our partners, there are no tuition fees or participation costs.
Scale faster and build trust with enterprise customers through a stronger security foundation.