SecureSet Academy secures $4M Series A round to expand cybersecurity bootcamps, fill talent gap

Wednesday January 18, 2017 0 comments Tags: SecureSet Academy, Ryan Kirkpatrick, Colorado Impact Fund, Bret Fund, Denver

DENVER -- SecureSet Academy announced it has obtained $4 million of Series A funding in a round led by the Colorado Impact Fund. SecureSet_logoUSE

The investment will drive the expansion of SecureSet Academy’s accelerated, bootcamp-style cybersecurity training to more U.S. markets, the company said. The Academy currently operates campuses in Denver and Colorado Springs, and is set to expand to Tampa later this year.

The $63 million Colorado Impact Fund is a venture capital firm dedicated to supporting Colorado companies that generate consistent investment returns in addition to positive community impact.

CIF targets companies with compelling business models that deliver positive community outcomes in sectors such as education, community health, sustainable resources and economic development.

Scaling SecureSet Academy’s format, curriculum and instruction model will help meet critical national demand for cybersecurity expertise and provide graduates with an attractive pathway to compensation increases and career progression, the company said.

“There is a dramatic supply/demand gap in this industry,” said Ryan Kirkpatrick, Colorado Impact Fund partner.

“Organizations who need cybersecurity professionals have found that certifications aren’t enough. Our diligence suggests that SecureSet Academy’s high-intensity education, world-class curriculum and experienced team will position the company to scale quickly while providing benefit to students, government and industry.”

“Partnering with Colorado Impact Fund and raising this Series A round is a huge step for us,” said Bret Fund, SecureSet Academy founder.

“We have validated our curriculum and instructional model, which more effectively creates job-ready cybersecurity professionals for an industry with a severe shortfall of talent.

“This new round of financing and partnership allow us to take our validated model and expand it to new geographic locations. We’re excited and ready to grow.”