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Learn which startups Ballistic Ventures invests in, what size check sizes they write, and who their partners are (e.g. Kevin Mandia).
Key people at Ballistic Ventures.
Ballistic Ventures operates as a venture capital firm singularly dedicated to early-stage funding and incubation within the cybersecurity domain. The firm focuses on identifying and supporting nascent companies and entrepreneurs, providing capital and strategic guidance to foster innovation and growth in critical security technologies. Its operational model is designed to leverage deep industry expertise for specialized investment and development.
The firm was founded by a group of seasoned cybersecurity veterans: Kevin Mandia, Barmak Meftah, Ted Schlein, Jake Seid, and Roger Thornton. These partners brought extensive backgrounds, including Mandia's founding of Mandiant, Schlein's decades in venture capital and cybersecurity at Kleiner Perkins, and Meftah's leadership roles in global cybersecurity. Their collective insight was that the cybersecurity sector required a specialized investment approach, combining financial backing with unparalleled industry-specific mentorship.
Ballistic Ventures serves as a vital partner to entrepreneurs building the next wave of cybersecurity solutions. The firm's vision centers on actively shaping a more secure future by investing in foundational innovations and supporting the talent that drives them. It aims to empower its portfolio companies to address evolving global security challenges with groundbreaking technologies.
Key people at Ballistic Ventures.
Ballistic Ventures is a venture capital firm singularly focused on funding and incubating early-stage cybersecurity startups. Its mission is to empower entrepreneurs building innovative solutions to address the rapidly evolving threats facing digital infrastructure. The firm’s investment philosophy centers on deep operational expertise, hands-on support, and a commitment to founders who are tackling the most pressing challenges in cybersecurity. Ballistic Ventures invests exclusively in cybersecurity and cyber-related technologies, making it a rare specialist in a field often dominated by generalist funds. By concentrating its resources and network in this sector, Ballistic has become a pivotal force in shaping the next generation of security startups, helping them scale, navigate complex markets, and achieve meaningful impact.
Founded in 2010, Ballistic Ventures was established by a team of seasoned cybersecurity operators and investors, including notable figures like Kevin Mandia (founder of Mandiant) and Barmak Meftah (former CEO of AlienVault). The firm’s roots trace back to decades of collective experience defending organizations against cyber threats, founding and leading successful security companies, and investing in the sector. Ballistic’s focus evolved from a recognition that cybersecurity startups require more than just capital—they need partners who understand the unique technical, regulatory, and market challenges of the industry. This led to the creation of a firm that not only provides funding but also incubates and mentors founders from day one, leveraging its deep network and operational insights to accelerate growth.
Ballistic Ventures is riding the wave of increasing cyber threats, digital transformation, and regulatory scrutiny, all of which are driving unprecedented demand for innovative security solutions. The firm’s timing is critical: as cyberattacks grow in frequency and sophistication, and as AI and cloud technologies expand the attack surface, startups with novel approaches are more essential than ever. Ballistic’s focus on early-stage innovation positions it at the forefront of emerging trends, from AI-driven threat detection to zero-trust architectures and ransomware defense. By nurturing a pipeline of talent and technology, Ballistic is not only shaping the future of cybersecurity but also influencing how enterprises and governments protect their digital assets.
Ballistic Ventures is poised to remain a leading force in cybersecurity venture capital as the sector continues to grow and evolve. The firm’s deep expertise, hands-on approach, and exclusive focus will be increasingly valuable as startups face more complex challenges and competition. Looking ahead, Ballistic is likely to expand its portfolio into emerging areas like AI security, quantum-resistant cryptography, and decentralized identity, while continuing to support founders who are building the next generation of security infrastructure. As cyber threats become more pervasive, Ballistic’s mission-driven approach will be more relevant than ever—fueling innovation and helping to secure the digital world.
