Ex-Secret Service Agent Stephen Ward Raises Second $250M Cybersecurity Fund After Major Exit
Stephen Ward is raising a second cybersecurity fund of about the same size as his first.
Brightmind Partners closed its debut fund at $250 million last year.
Why Experienced Operators Drive Better Cyber Deals
Ward brings nine years in the Secret Service and CISO roles at major companies to his investing approach.
This background helps him spot strong acquisition fits early in a startup's life.
One recent success saw Brightmind lead an investment that led to a $740 million acquisition by CrowdStrike.
Founders gain from his direct advice on timing sales before markets shift.
Incumbent security firms benefit as they gain access to vetted new technology through such deals.
12-Month Outlook for Early-Stage Cyber Funding
Early-stage cybersecurity rounds are already outpacing later stages for the first time in over a decade.
Seed round sizes have jumped notably this year according to industry data.
Ward plans to allocate roughly 20 percent of the new fund to AI infrastructure while keeping the core focus on cybersecurity.
More Israeli teams are expected to receive backing based on the first fund's pattern.
Second-time founders who stay together stand out as preferred bets in his strategy.
