Accelerator and Incubator
Our accelerator program is fueling cybersecurity entrepreneurship across Virginia. It’s teaching professors and startups what it takes to bring technology to market, including how to pitch to a panel of investors and industry leaders as seen here. Photo by Ron Aira.
The Commonwealth Cyber Incubator + Accelerator (CCI+A) program, co-funded by the CCI Northern Virginia Node and the CCI Hub, offers two distinct tracks: one tailored for teams emerging from Virginia public research universities, supported by the CATAPULT Fund; and another for startup teams collaborating with faculty subject matter experts through the ASCEND Fund.
Participating in the CCI+A program can provide opportunities such as:
- A bootcamp-style program to rapidly move new technologies forward.
- Support for customer discovery efforts.
- Chances for cyber startups to engage with potential industry and government partners, as well as regional and Virginia-based customers.
- Collaborations between university innovators with industry and government for feedback, technical work and product testing.
- Training and experiential learning opportunities for students.
- Cybersecurity-focused workshops, meetings, and collider events with government agencies and industry.
During the 5-month CCI+A program, participating teams engage in business development workshops and interact with a diverse array of stakeholders, including prospective customers, partners, seasoned tech mentors, serial entrepreneurs, investors, and other influential figures within the ecosystem. This collaborative environment's goal is to assess the potential for transforming innovative technologies into viable products, processes, and services.
CCI+A Funds
The CATAPULT Fund aims to enhance the development of cyber innovations during the pivotal “Valley of Death” phase. Through the CATAPULT program, innovators position themselves for further funding opportunities, including Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants and Commonwealth Commercialization Fund (CCF) support. Additionally, this partnership opens doors to strategic alliances and customer connections that are vital for product development and market testing.
Academic Support for Cybersecurity Entrepreneurship and Next-Gen Development (ASCEND)
In 2025, CCI introduced the ASCEND Fund, a mechanism designed to help early-stage companies and startups access and partner with academic subject matter experts (SMEs) to develop and further advance solutions to technical problems they've encountered in industry.
Call for Proposals
CCI seeks proposals from teams to receive support to speed cybersecurity innovations developed by university faculty and Virginia-based startups to the marketplace.
Past Calls for Proposals:
Funded Projects
The Commonwealth Cyber Incubator + Accelerator (CCI+A) program supports market discovery and economic impact. We funded 10 projects for the 2025 CCI+A cohort.
