Exploring the skills, innovation, and investment driving Europe’s next-generation cyber ventures
On 21 January 2026, Lisbon became the meeting point for cybersecurity and entrepreneurship. The Entrepreneurship & Cybersecurity Summit, held at Universidade Lusófona under the EU-funded CyberSecPro project, brought together policymakers, investors, and entrepreneurs to explore how advanced digital skills are shaping Europe’s cyber innovation landscape. The event fostered high-level discussions across borders, industries, and expertise.
The summit opened with a keynote by Brendan Rowan, our Managing Consultant, setting the tone for the day: cybersecurity and advanced digital capabilities are no longer niche areas, they are foundational to modern entrepreneurship. A recurring message throughout the discussions was that cybersecurity roles are evolving rapidly. Today’s cyber professionals are increasingly moving beyond traditional operational roles into positions as architects, engineers, and designers of secure digital systems. This shift makes clear role definition and targeted skills development essential. Importantly, the need is not only for more cybersecurity specialists, but also for professionals across all sectors who possess cybersecurity skills. As digital technologies are deployed at scale, cyber awareness is becoming a baseline competence for modern businesses.
CyberSecPro: Bridging Academia and Industry
Professor Kai Rannenberg, coordinator of the CyberSecPro project at Goethe University Frankfurt, outlined the initiative’s vision:
- Strengthen advanced cybersecurity skills in key domains.
- Connect academic research with practical industry needs.
- Support entrepreneurship through practice-oriented education and training.
The project reflects the need for cooperation across defence, entrepreneurship, research and standards. Only through coordinated efforts can Europe ensure its workforce develops the skills required to grow and adapt in a fast-changing cyber environment.
One European Cyber Talent Space: Aligning Skills, Standards, and Education
The panel, “One European Cyber Talent Space on Standards, Skills and Education”, examined how Europe can build a cohesive cyber talent ecosystem. Panelists included:
- Rodica Tirtea, Senior Policy Officer, ECCC
- Evangelos (Vangelis) Ouzounis, ENISA
- Nuno Mateus-Coelho, Director, LAPI2S
Panelists focused on the need for alignment between educational pathways, professional standards, and industry expectations. By harmonising these elements, Europe can strengthen its cybersecurity workforce and support innovative startups across the continent, as cybersecurity advances, skills frameworks must evolve just as quickly, ensuring professionals are equipped to respond to emerging threats and technologies.
Venture Capital Insights: Funding Europe’s Cyber Startups
The investment perspective was brought to life by Filipa Leal da Costa, Investment Associate at ActiveCap, who offered a window into how venture capital identifies and scales promising cybersecurity ventures. Investors look for breakthrough technologies, strong founding teams, and scalable business models that can navigate an ever-changing security landscape.
From early-stage assessment to scaling strategies, the session provided practical guidance for entrepreneurs seeking funding in the competitive cybersecurity arena.
Emerging Technologies: AI, Quantum, and 6G in Focus
Another highlight was the panel “Emerging Technologies and Cybersecurity”, moderated by Dr. Luis Campos. Experts explored the opportunities and challenges presented by: artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, 6G communications.
Panelists including Luis Ribeiro (PDM), Prof. Sokratis Katsikas (NTNU), Catarina Cabral Bastos (Indra Space), and José Neves (AED cluster) discussed how these innovations are reshaping both security practices and business models, creating new avenues for entrepreneurial growth.
Lessons from the Frontline: Entrepreneurial Journeys
The summit didn’t just look at technology, it looked at people. Karolina Attspodina, CEO of WeDoSolar, shared her personal journey of building a tech business: innovation isn’t just about ideas, it’s about resilience, learning from failure, and finding the right path to growth. Her story illustrated the human side of cybersecurity entrepreneurship, offering inspiration and practical takeaways for attendees.
Startup Launchpad: Skills, Regulation, and Go-to-Market Readiness
Finally, the Startup Launchpad for Cybersecurity panel gave actionable guidance for early-stage ventures. Moderated by Dr. Emmanouil Vergis, the discussion covered:
- Essential skill sets for cybersecurity founders
- Navigating regulatory frameworks
- Strategies for a successful market launch
Panelists Pedro Silva (ActiveCap), Domingos Cruz (CCA), and Herman Ruiz Ocampo (Ecole Des Ponts Business School) emphasised that technical excellence must be matched with strategic business planning to achieve sustainable growth.
Building Europe’s Cyber Future Together
Cybersecurity is advancing at pace, shaped by AI, quantum developments, and large-scale digital deployment. Meeting this challenge requires clear role definition, continuous skills development, and deep cooperation across sectors. For those entering or shaping the field, cybersecurity is no longer static: it is animated, fast-moving, and full of opportunity. The Lisbon summit made clear that Europe’s cyber future depends not only on technology, but on people, skills, and collaboration.