Introduction

At TechBBQ 2025, Seculyze hosted an inspiring “Next Door Security” side-event focused on one pressing question: How can Europe scale cybersecurity startups to global success?

Bringing together Frederik Schouboe, CEO of Keepit; Geeta Schmidt, General Partner at Seed Capital; and Alex Steninge Jacobsen, CEO of Seculyze, the fireside chat dived deep into the hurdles and opportunities facing European cyber entrepreneurs today.

From mindset shifts to smarter funding strategies, the conversation mapped a clear path for turning Denmark — and Europe — into a powerhouse for cybersecurity innovation.

The Urgent Need for Cybersecurity Investment in Europe

Europe stands at a crossroads in cybersecurity innovation. Despite its rich talent pool, the continent struggles to match global investment levels. However, Europe’s evolving regulatory landscape offers a unique opportunity to lead in building trusted, globally scalable cybersecurity solutions.

Why Europe Lags Behind in Cybersecurity Funding

Despite being a hotbed for tech talent, Europe continues to attract only a fraction of cybersecurity investment compared to markets like the U.S. and Israel.

The panel noted that while ecosystems elsewhere are tightly knit and collaborative, Europe often suffers from fragmentation and a culture of modest ambition.

Without stronger ecosystem-building and more aggressive scaling ambitions, the next cybersecurity unicorns risk being built elsewhere.

Europe’s Regulatory Advantage as a Launchpad

Interestingly, Europe’s strict regulatory environment—often seen as a hurdle—was reframed as a competitive advantage.

With GDPR, the Cyber Resilience Act, and upcoming AI regulations, European cybersecurity startups are uniquely positioned to build trust-first products that can scale globally.

While Silicon Valley’s “move fast and break things” mantra may work for social apps, it doesn’t hold in cybersecurity. Here, compliance and trust are the true accelerators.

Building Global Cybersecurity Champions from Denmark

Achieving global success in cybersecurity requires more than just strong products—it demands a bold mindset. Moving beyond modest ambitions and believing in world-class potential from the start is what sets true industry leaders apart.

Mindset Shift: Beyond the “BMW Syndrome”

“If you want to win in cybersecurity, you can’t think about getting a BMW — you have to think about dominating the world” said Frederik

A recurring theme was the need to ditch small ambitions. Frederik Schouboe humorously pointed out the “BMW syndrome” – the tendency of some founders to aim just for personal wealth rather than world domination.

Thinking globally from day one and striving for massive impact is key. As Schouboe put it, “Go for 10 Ferraris, not one BMW.”

From Humble Beginnings to World-Class Products

Both Keepit and Humio (where Geeta Schmidt was a key player) started in Denmark but succeeded because they refused to think small.

They believed early on that their solutions could outperform global giants, and that infectious belief not only attracted customers but also top talent.

Smart Funding Strategies for Cybersecurity Startups

Navigating the funding landscape in cybersecurity requires both strategy and realism. Founders must bridge investor knowledge gaps, choose partners with global ambition, and carefully assess whether venture capital – or bootstrapping – is the right path for sustainable growth.

The Capital Knowledge Gap in Denmark and Europe

Cybersecurity is a complex, niche sector—and many investors don’t fully understand it.

The panelists emphasized that founders must do more than just pitch their product; they must educate investors about the unique dynamics and growth potential of cybersecurity startups.

Choosing the Right Investor: Size and Mindset Matter

Not all capital is created equal. 

Founders were advised to seek investors who think big and understand global scaling, rather than settling for local funds with limited ambition. As Frederik noted: 

Investors are looking for trust. Focus on building the business, the product, and customers will bring the funding to your door.

Finding an investor with the right mindset can make all the difference between regional success and global dominance.

Venture vs. Bootstrapping: Key Lessons

The discussion also highlighted that venture funding isn’t for everyone.

Founders should be brutally honest about whether their business model fits the venture growth curve—especially given that many cyber startups rely heavily on consulting in their early days, which can complicate scalable growth metrics.

In some cases, bootstrapping to product-market fit may be the smarter move before seeking external funding.

Turning Regulation into a Competitive Advantage

In cybersecurity, trust is the ultimate currency. European startups, grounded in strong compliance and data protection standards, have a unique opportunity to turn regulation into a competitive edge – and lead on the global stage.

Why “Move Fast, Break Things” Doesn’t Work in Cyber

In cybersecurity, breaking things isn’t an option.

The panelists agreed: trust, resilience, and compliance aren’t just “nice-to-haves”- they are core differentiators put directly by Geeta: 

Building trust is critical — in cybersecurity, customers don’t buy hype, they buy resilience and real security.

European startups, with their deep-rooted respect for data privacy and security, have a real chance to lead globally if they leverage this strength properly.

European Cyber Startups: Built for Trust, Built for Growth

By embracing Europe’s regulatory frameworks and marketing them as proof points of quality and trust, startups can stand out internationally. Alex concluded: 

The challenge isn’t just building better products – it’s telling a better story about why we lead in cybersecurity.

Instead of viewing regulations as red tape, founders should see them as a built-in marketing advantage, especially in increasingly security-conscious global markets.

Conclusion

The fireside chat at “Next Door Security” during TechBBQ 2025 painted a vivid and hopeful picture:

Europe, and Denmark specifically, have the talent, the regulation advantage, and the potential to lead in cybersecurity innovation.

Success, however, depends on founders embracing a bold mindset, choosing the right investors, and building trust-first products.

By thinking globally from day one, daring to dominate rather than merely succeed, and communicating their value with passion, European cyber startups can truly go from Denmark to the world.

The momentum has started — and the next wave of cybersecurity unicorns might just have a European accent.

The Speakers

FAQs