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Next-Generation Technologies & Secure Development
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RSAC Conference
Munich Re Ventures’ Sidra Ahmed Lefort on Why Seed Funding Dominates Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity attracted $13 billion in investments in 2024, a 40% jump in funding compared to 2023, with nearly half going to early-stage startups. “A lot of the investors are very interested in getting that early ownership,” said Sidra Ahmed Lefort, director at Munich Re Ventures.
See Also: Unlocking Enterprise Productivity and Innovation Through Secure Agentic AI
The swift pace of innovation in cybersecurity – fueled by evolving threats and technologies such as artificial intelligence – has made early-stage entry not just viable, but essential. Getting in at the earliest stages also ensures a larger financial stake. With seed and Series A rounds now stretching up to $50 to $75 million, investors must act quickly to lock in meaningful equity positions.
Some early-stage startups “are just slide decks at the point of investment,” Lefort said. “There’s a lot of excitement in this space. Exits in cyber happen very quickly before companies hit some sort of gravity, essentially to skyrocket in terms of commercialization.”
In this video interview with Information Security Media Group at RSAC Conference 2025, Lefort also discussed:
- How inflated valuations lead to “zombie unicorns,” leaving little room for strategic pivots;
- How tuck-in acquisitions signal maturity and platform readiness ahead of exit;
- Why limited IPOs have made secondary markets essential for VC fund sustainability.
Lefort focuses on cybersecurity and privacy, digital health, and insurtech opportunities for Munich Re Ventures globally. Previously, she was with the venture capital arm of Singapore Economic Development Board, where she invested in late-stage enterprise tech companies globally. She was also the director and vice president of investments at EDBI Pte.