New York City launches cybersecurity competition in cooperation with Berlin

The city of New York just announced the Cybersecurity Moonshot Challenge, a global competition to improve IT security for mid-sized business. The Challenge calls on the industry to develop novel, cutting-edge solutions that meet the needs of small and medium-sized businesses to protect against cyber-attacks. Finalists will receive an award of up to $20,000 to test their proposal in New York City, as well as possible further investment of up to 1 million dollars, as well as support to roll the solution out in international markets. The challenge is open to anyone ranging from entrepreneurs, businesses, technologists, investors or just someone with a good idea. And for the final practice Berlin Partner covers the flight expenses to New York!

Berlin Partner serves as one of the international partners, since the Berlin metropolitan area has a strong background in cybersecurity. Companies, institutions and entrepreneurs based within the Berlin-Brandenburg area are called to answer the question: “How might we make every small business in NYC as resilient to cybersecurity attacks as a Fortune 500 company?”

“Cybersecurity poses a big challenge to any size business around the world, from mom-and-pop restaurants to Fortune 500 companies." said Dr. Stefan Franzke, CEO of Berlin Partner for Business and Technology. “Like New York City companies, Berlin-Brandenburg-based companies face this challenge on a daily basis. The threat is global and comes in every form you can imagine. That is why it is important to tackle this threat on a global level and bring the best and brightest minds from all over the world together to alleviate these dangers.”

Interested institutions, businesses or entrepreneurs are called to apply until February 15th, 2019,  when the concept round will close. Information on the application process can be found here and here.