AWS Startups collaborates with CyLab Venture Network to empower the next generation of cybersecurity entrepreneurs

Carnegie Mellon University’s CyLab Security and Privacy Institute has launched a new collaboration with the AWS Startups Activate Program that will provide cloud computing resources, technical guidance, business mentorship, and go-to-market resources to support CyLab Venture Network startup partners.

The initiative is designed to help emerging cybersecurity and privacy companies at all stages to accelerate their growth while reducing some of the financial and technical barriers that often confront founders. The collaboration builds on a longstanding relationship between Carnegie Mellon University and Amazon while establishing a new level of engagement between AWS Startups and the university’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Through the program, startups affiliated with the CyLab Venture Network will gain access to resources that help them build, test, and scale their technologies while preserving valuable early-stage capital.

The partnership grew out of conversations between CyLab Directors and AWS leaders during CyLab's annual Partners Conference, where experts from industry, government, and academia gather to discuss emerging cybersecurity challenges and opportunities. Harshvardhan Chunawala, a CMU alumnus, former CyLab researcher, and AWS Solutions Architect who leads startup engagements across North America for AWS Startups, drove the initiative to bring AWS resources to the CyLab Venture Network and broader CMU ecosystem.

Chunawala, who also serves as a guest lecturer and external advisory board member at CMU’s Information Networking Institute, is an AWS Golden Jacket awardee, one of approximately 100 technologists worldwide recognized for distinguished expertise across cloud architecture, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence. He set the partnership in motion to back the next generation of world-class startups coming out of Carnegie Mellon's research community, particularly those focused on cybersecurity, privacy, and trustworthy AI.

For founders, access to cloud infrastructure can be a significant expense during the earliest phases of a company’s development. This partnership will offset infrastructure costs and provide access to the AWS Startups ecosystem that comprises former founders and CTOs, venture capitalists, angel investors, and mentors to help founders navigate challenges and opportunities. This allows entrepreneurs to focus more of their resources on innovation and product development.

The collaboration aligns closely with the mission of the CyLab Venture Network, which was launched in 2024 to help cybersecurity startups connect with investors, corporate partners, faculty experts, students, and other resources needed to succeed. The network supports both Carnegie Mellon-affiliated startups and companies from the broader cybersecurity ecosystem.

“We want to offer our partners additional resources that can help them scale rapidly,” said Michael Lisanti, CyLab senior director of partnerships. “For early-stage founders, access to the critical infrastructure and technical expertise lowers the barrier to market entry. Welcoming AWS Startups into the network as a resource partner gives our entrepreneurs another tool that can help them grow their businesses.”

The partnership will also complement upcoming entrepreneurial programming with campus partner the Swartz Center for Entrepreneurship, including CyLab led cybersecurity-focused activities during StartupPGH this September. Through continued collaboration with industry partners and alumni leaders, CyLab aims to strengthen the resources available to founders working to address some of society’s most pressing cybersecurity and privacy challenges.

“The whole point of the CyLab Venture Network is to help cybersecurity startups be more successful,” said Lisanti. “Whether it’s connections to investors, access to talent, introductions to faculty, opportunities to participate in events, or specialized industry resources, we’re focused on creating a robust ecosystem that helps these companies thrive.”

For more information on the CyLab Venture Network, contact Michael Lisanti, CyLab senior director of partnerships, at 412-268-1870 or mlisanti@cmu.edu.