Michel Bourque and Mickael Nadeau are the co-founders of CyberDefense AI, which is now in stage two of Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst’s Cyber Challenge go-to-market program. The CyberDefense AI platform is a fully-automated cybersecurity solution powered by AI to protect cloud infrastructures and applications.
Learn more about CyberDefense AI on their website: CyberDefense.ai
- What’s your secret (or not-so-secret) origin story? What made you want to build a cybersecurity solution?
CYBERDEFENSE.AI was born out of a shared realization: the cybersecurity landscape is evolving at a breathtaking pace, yet many businesses — particularly those in critical industries — are unprepared for the sophisticated threats they face. Our team saw an opportunity to close the gap between the emerging technological advancements and the protection required to safeguard them.
What fueled our passion was more than just technical expertise; it was witnessing the human impact of cyberattacks. From data breaches compromising sensitive information to operational disruptions in manufacturing, the team saw an urgent need for a proactive, adaptive approach. We wanted to create a solution that wouldn’t just react to threats but anticipate and neutralize them before they could cause harm.
- What’s something that’s being overlooked in the cybersecurity industry right now?
Our team is thinking about the assumption that cybersecurity is inherently included in specialized web solutions, hosting, or interconnected devices.
The reality is that most of these products are designed with functionality as the primary focus; and without, or with only minimal, thought to cybersecurity. These systems and products usually require cybersecurity specialists for proper configuration. This assumption leaves critical vulnerabilities unaddressed — vulnerabilities that attackers actively exploit as these systems become increasingly connected and integrated into broader networks.
- How is the Cyber Challenge helping you right now?
The Cyber Challenge has been a transformative experience for us. It has made us realize that we were not entirely on track in some areas, particularly in aligning our solutions with the specific needs of the industry and the customers we aim to serve.
This realization has been crucial, it gave us the clarity to step back, reassess our strategies, and make the necessary adjustments.
We have learned to act quickly, adopting an agile approach to innovation and execution. For instance, we have refined our sales process to better understand the financial realities and technological needs of our customers, while addressing the unique cybersecurity challenges in AI-driven industries, where interconnected systems are creating new vulnerabilities.
- What impact do you hope to see in 2030, from the work your startup is doing?
We believe that the current American protectionist climate presents a unique opportunity to foster the growth of a robust Canadian cybersecurity industry, of which CYBERDEFENSE AI will be a part. This moment could position Canada as a global leader in innovative and secure solutions.
If “crisis equals opportunity,” achieving this vision requires two key steps: uniting us, the producers of innovative solutions; and promoting the adoption of Canadian-made cybersecurity products by Canadian governments and industries.
- What makes Cyber Challenge unique, compared to other innovation programs, incubators or accelerators you’ve come across?
For CYBERDEFENSE AI, the Cyber Challenge is unique because it combines synergy with a clear vision rooted in real-world experience. This program drives meaningful impact by transforming our ideas into practical solutions for sectors like healthcare, an area that remains largely uncharted for CYBERDEFENSE AI. Beyond theoretical guidance, it offers hands-on support and fosters collaboration with industry leaders and mentors.
