Why aren't venture capitalists flocking to fund cybersecurity startups?
Cybersecurity companies are enjoying stellar growth and multiples, but VCs are still hesitant to invest in these startups. What's going on?
Current Investment Trends in Cybersecurity
In Q1 2023, venture-backed cybersecurity startups received nearly $2.7 billion, which is an increase from $2.4 billion in the previous quarter but represents a significant 58% drop from $6.5 billion in Q1 2022. This indicates that while there is some uptick in funding, it remains far below previous levels.
Several factors contribute to this hesitance. A notable number of cybersecurity companies are growing quickly enough that they do not require additional capital. Additionally, a high number of startups are failing, which limits the pool of viable investment opportunities. As a result, even with strong performance metrics, VCs are cautious.
Performance of Public Cybersecurity Companies
Public cybersecurity companies are showing strong growth, with firms like Palo Alto Networks reporting a 24% increase in revenue and a 61% improvement in operating income. Other companies, such as CrowdStrike and Zscaler, are also expected to report significant revenue growth, indicating that the sector is performing well overall.

Why aren't venture capitalists flocking to fund cybersecurity startups?
published by Divergent IT
Divergent IT is a tech service operational consulting & strategy firm. Divergent IT partners with CIOs, business owners, and Non-Profits to develop strategy and implementation across their business including: cybersecurity, remote maintenance management (RMM), IT strategy, on-site maintenance and more.