CYBR.SEC.Community, LaunchPoint bring 20-plus startups to Houston conference

CYBR.SEC.Community and LaunchPoint Collective have teamed up to put more than 20 cybersecurity startups in front of CISOs, practitioners and early adopters at CYBR.SEC.CON. 2026 in Houston on Sept. 15–16. The partnership is meant to help startups break through market noise and make startup discovery a bigger part of the conference.

Why it matters: - The partnership is designed to connect cybersecurity startups with the security leaders most likely to adopt their tools. - More direct access to CISOs and practitioners can speed up startup discovery and shorten the path from pitch to deployment. - The Houston focus could draw more attention to the city’s cybersecurity community and early-adopter market.

What happened: - CYBR.SEC.Community and LaunchPoint Collective formed a new partnership ahead of CYBR.SEC.CON. 2026. - LaunchPoint Collective is bringing more than 20 cybersecurity startups into the conference ecosystem. - The conference runs Sept. 15–16 in Houston. - Startups will show up through booths, presentations, events and the LaunchPad startup competition.

The details: - LaunchPoint Collective co-founder and managing partner John Barrow, who is also CISO at JB Poindexter & Co., said cybersecurity startups often struggle to stand out in a crowded market. - Barrow said CISOs and practitioners also struggle to find emerging technologies that match their needs. - LaunchPoint evaluates startups based on their technology, founding teams and potential impact. - LaunchPoint then connects those startups with early adopters whose organizations and security challenges fit the products. - CYBR.SEC.CON. is intended to create direct interaction among founders, CISOs and practitioners. - The partnership also includes surrounding gatherings beyond the conference floor so founders and security leaders can build relationships outside a sales-heavy environment. - CYBR.SEC.CON. 2026 takes place Sept. 15–16 in Houston. - More information is available on CYBR.SEC.Community's LinkedIn page.

Between the lines: - Barrow framed Houston as an overlooked security hub compared with more established tech centers. - The partnership appears aimed at shifting startup discovery from a booth-only exercise to a relationship-building format. - CYBR.SEC.Community CEO Michael Farnum said the collaboration fits a broader push to make the conference more community-driven and practitioner-focused.

What's next: - LaunchPoint will continue planning pre- and post-conference gatherings for founders and security leaders. - The startups will have multiple touchpoints with attendees before and during CYBR.SEC.CON. 2026. - The partnership is expected to continue beyond this year’s conference, according to Farnum and Barrow.