CyberTexas Foundation

What CyberTexas Foundation does

CyberTexas Foundation is a San Antonio-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that develops cybersecurity workforce talent and educators across Texas. Formalized in April 2015 by founders Joe Sánchez, Mark Gravely, and Chris Cook, it institutionalizes activities that trace back to a November 1999 information-security meeting; its mission is to create end-to-end cybersecurity education pathways from elementary school through graduate study. The foundation operates as a "force-multiplier" rather than a direct instruction provider, coordinating programs across K-12 districts, community colleges, four-year universities, military units, and corporate employers.

The foundation's core programmatic offerings are CyberPatriot (the Air & Space Forces Association National Youth Cyber Defense Competition), the annual Mayor's Cyber Cup hosted at the Boeing Center at Tech Port, summer cyber camps at St. Mary's University, the Cyber Innovation and Research Consortium (CIRC) higher-education network, and the San Antonio Cyber Hall of Honor. It has developed and supported Texas Education Agency-approved curricula including Principles of Cybersecurity and Foundations of Cybersecurity, age-appropriate programs such as CyberStar (middle school) and CyberPlay (elementary, built on CIAS's Cyber Threat Defender card game), and teacher-resource and learn-and-prepare toolkits. Its platform is fundamentally a partnership and community infrastructure, not a software product.

CyberTexas is funded primarily through individual donations (accepted via PayPal), corporate sponsorships arranged in tiered packages (Foundational, Platinum, Gold, Silver) with named sponsors including CrowdStrike, Booz Allen Hamilton, Northrop Grumman, CompTIA, SecureLogix, Port San Antonio, and Alamo AFCEA, plus targeted grants such as the Booz Allen Hamilton internship grant exceeding $300,000. Most programs are delivered at no cost; nominal registration fees of $205 (high school) and $165 (middle school) apply to some CyberPatriot entries, with waivers for Title I schools, all-girl teams, and JROTC/CAP/Naval Sea Cadet units. Customer segments are K-12 students, teachers and educators, and college students, with industry and government partners underwriting the talent-pipeline supply side.

Name

CyberTexas Foundation

Legal name

CyberTexas Foundation

Website

https://cybertexas.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

CyberTexas Foundation is a San Antonio-based nonprofit that develops cybersecurity workforce talent and educators across Texas through K-12 and college programs including CyberPatriot, the Mayor's Cyber Cup, summer cyber camps, and the CIRC higher-education consortium.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cybersecurity Education Services

NAICS

Computer Training (611420), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Cybersecurity (Digital Safety, Ethical Hacking Basics) (EDAMACAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cybersecurity Learning Platforms (EDAFANAF), IT, Software & Cybersecurity Training (EDAGANAF)

Keywords

• Cybersecurity education
• Youth cyber programs
• Workforce development
• STEM education
• Cyber competitions

Headquarters

HQ city

San Antonio

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The foundation relies on donations from individuals and organizations to support its mission of developing cybersecurity talent and educators across Texas.
2. Corporate Sponsorship: The organization receives financial support from corporate sponsors at various tiers (Foundational, Platinum, Gold, Silver) who support the Cyber Cup event and general foundation activities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

CyberTexas Foundation is a nonprofit educational organization that develops and delivers cybersecurity education pathways from elementary school through college. It runs the CyberPatriot program, the Mayor's Cyber Cup, Summer Cyber Camps, the CIRC higher-learning consortium, training and teacher resources, and competitions to develop cybersecurity talent and educators across Texas.

Product overview

CyberTexas Foundation is a non-profit organization providing a comprehensive cybersecurity education ecosystem rather than a single software product. The core offerings include the CyberPatriot National Youth Cyber Defense Competition, the annual Mayor's Cyber Cup event, Summer Cyber Camps at St. Mary's University, and the CIRC (Cyber Innovation and Research Consortium) higher education network. Supporting programs include Learn & Prepare training materials, Teacher Resources, Competitions portfolio, and Cyber Cup Scholarships. Together these programs create pathways guiding students from elementary school through college and into cybersecurity careers, serving as a force-multiplier in cybersecurity education across Texas.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CyberPatriot Program The Air and Space Forces Association National Youth Cyber Education Program, motivating students toward careers in cybersecurity and STEM disciplines, featuring the National Youth Cyber Defense Competition, AFA CyberCamps, and Elementary School Cyber Education Initiative. For K-12 schools, teachers, coaches, and students across Texas.
• San Antonio Mayor's Cyber Cup Annual San Antonio Mayor's Cyber Cup and College/Tech Fair connecting middle and high school students with educational and career pathways in cybersecurity, hosted at Boeing Center at Tech Port. The 14th Annual event (2024) hosted over 500 students from over 90 schools.
• Summer Cyber Camps Residential and day camps for rising 6th through 12th grade students providing hands-on cybersecurity education, including standard camps, advanced camps, and all-girls camps held at St. Mary's University.
• Cyber Cup Scholarships Scholarship opportunities for CyberPatriot participants awarded annually at the Mayor's Cyber Cup in partnership with colleges and universities including St. Philip's College and St. Mary's University.
• Higher Learning / CIRC Consortium Cyber Innovation and Research Consortium (CIRC) — a collaborative partnership of San Antonio area universities and colleges (now ~12 institutions) providing cybersecurity education pathways from high school through graduate programs, including collaborative grants and educational opportunities.
• Teacher Resources Educational resources for teachers including competitions, camps, community programs, and business resources to support cybersecurity education in K-12 schools.
• Learn & Prepare Training materials and resources for CyberPatriot competition preparation, including coach tools, mentor guides, network security challenge materials, and Cisco networking challenge resources.
• Cyber Competitions Portfolio Curated portfolio of cybersecurity competitions including CyberPatriot, Exploravision, eCybermission, Cyber 9/12 Strategy Challenge, CSAW Capture The Flag, and Conrad Challenge for K-12 and college students.
• San Antonio Cyber Hall of Honor Recognition program honoring individuals who pioneered cybersecurity education and workforce development in San Antonio.

Quantifiable outcome

• San Antonio maintains the most CyberPatriot teams of any city in the United States with 345+ teams out of approximately 5,600 nationally.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Booz Allen Hamilton Internship PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 March 2017Partnership to provide internships to seniors on top CyberPatriot teams. College-bound seniors work on BAH's federal R&D projects for up to four summers and breaks. Grant exceeds $300,000.
• UTSA - University of Texas at San AntoniocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership with UTSA's Center for Infrastructure Assurance and Security (CIAS). Joe Sánchez co-founded CIAS at UTSA in 2001. The foundation works closely with UTSA on workforce development, the National Security Collaboration Center (NSCC), and cyber exercises. UTSA has been designated as an NSA CAE in multiple disciplines.
• Booz Allen HamiltoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to provide internships to seniors on top CyberPatriot teams. College-bound seniors of select teams work on BAH's federal R&D projects for up to four summers and school breaks. Grant exceeds $300,000.
• CrowdStrikeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor and partner, with a CyTX/CrowdStrike partnership video featuring on the homepage.
• Cyber Innovation and Research Consortium (CIRC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded in 2007 with Our Lady of the Lake University, St. Mary's University and UTSA as first members. Today a dozen institutions are CIRC members. The consortium collaborates on grants, initiatives and educational opportunities.
• NEISD iCSI - Institute of CyberSecurity & InnovationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOpen enrollment magnet school program providing innovative cybersecurity education to high school students regardless of school district boundaries. CyTX supported the establishment of iCSI in August 2021.
• National Security Collaboration Center (NSCC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCyberTexas was the first organization to financially support NSCC at UTSA with staff support through college interns. Played leading role in forming Federal Partners Senior Group to define security and classified needs.
• Port San AntoniocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor partner and host venue for the Mayor's Cyber Cup at Boeing Center at Tech Port. Port San Antonio is home to cybersecurity operations and serves as a hub for cyber workforce development.
• Alamo College DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFive area community colleges with strong cybersecurity programs and degrees including San Antonio College, St. Philip's College, Northwest Vista College, and Palo Alto College. Partner through CIRC consortium.
• St. Mary's UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in CIRC consortium and host of summer cyber camps. Joe Sánchez initiated and led development of St. Mary's University Master's Degree in Cybersecurity and Certificate in Cybersecurity in 2016.
• Texas Cybersecurity, Education, and Economic Development Council (TCEEDC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCyberTexas lends support to TCEEDC, facilitates legislation and initiatives supporting industry and academic entities, and works to develop comprehensive cyber security business retention, recruitment and development plans.
• Angelo State UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with Angelo State University to build their own CyberSphere. Led ASU to build and deliver a citywide cyber 'roundup' in April 2022.
• Alamo STEM Ecosystem / DSEC HubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCyTX partners with ASE as DoD STEM Office selection as the 4th Defense STEM Education Consortium (DSEC) Hub in the country in December 2022. Hosts teacher's externships and youth STEM Summits.
• SecureLogixminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundational sponsor. SecureLogix was involved in early cybersecurity education efforts, with Dr. Greg White recruited from SecureLogix to teach the first Information Security course at UTSA.
• CompTIAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting CyberTexas programs and events.
• Northrop GrummanminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGold sponsor supporting CyberTexas mission and programs.
• Air Force Association (AFA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with AFA CyberPatriot program. National Youth Cyber Education Program. San Antonio designated as second CyberPatriot Center of Excellence with CyTX leadership.
• 16th Air Force (Air Forces Cyber)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMilitary partner that provided mentors for CyberPatriot teams. CyTX helped bring Air Force Selects San Antonio as Home to AF Cyber Command (24 AF) in 2009. Mentors from 16 AF & NSA shared knowledge at Uvalde cyber camps.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• SANS Institute: The dominant commercial cybersecurity training and certification provider (SEC, GIAC, Cyber Defense certifications). Comparable because it provides formal technical cybersecurity credentials that CyberTexas's pathway ultimately feeds students into.
• CompTIA: Major IT and cybersecurity certification body (Security+, Network+) that issues credentials to entry-level cybersecurity professionals — directly downstream of the K-12 pipeline CyberTexas develops, and an existing CyTX sponsor.
• (ISC)²: Global nonprofit certifying body for cybersecurity professionals (CISSP, CCSP). A peer at the credentialing layer of the cybersecurity talent pipeline CyberTexas develops, and a related corporate sponsor profile.

Emerging players

• Code.org: Nonprofit expanding K-12 computer science education with state-level curriculum adoption and teacher training — comparable operating model (nonprofit, school partnerships, donor-funded) but broader CS scope rather than cybersecurity specialization.
• Cybrary: Commercial cybersecurity training platform offering free and paid courses, hands-on labs, and career paths — comparable end goal of building cybersecurity talent, but delivered via a scalable online platform rather than in-person programs.
• Girls Who Code: Nonprofit running girls-focused coding clubs, summer immersion programs, and alumni programs — comparable nonprofit K-12 STEM engagement model, with overlapping initiatives like all-girls cyber camps that CyberTexas offers.

Direct peers

• CYBER.ORG (NICC): The National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education and Careers (formerly NICC) provides free K-12 cybersecurity curricula and teacher training nationwide — a direct peer in delivering cybersecurity education pathways to U.S. schools.
• National Cybersecurity Alliance: Nonprofit driving public awareness and cyber-workforce development, including K-12 programs and industry collaboration. Comparable mission of expanding the cybersecurity workforce pipeline from awareness to careers.
• National Cyber Scholarship Foundation: Runs the CyberStart game and National Cyber Scholarship program that identifies and rewards high-performing high school cybersecurity students, overlapping with CyberTexas's talent-pipeline and scholarship mission.
• CyberPatriot (Air & Space Forces Association): The AFA's National Youth Cyber Education Program — the parent program around which CyberTexas organizes most of its core offerings (teams, camps, Mayor's Cyber Cup, scholarships). CyberTexas is the second CyberPatriot Center of Excellence and a Hall of Fame inductee.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@cybertexasnow
• Facebookfacebook.com/cybertexas
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cybertexas-foundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/cybertexasnow/?hl=en
• Xx.com/cybertexasnow

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about CyberTexas Foundation