polycyber
PolyCyber is a non-profit student cybersecurity society at Polytechnique Montréal, founded 2013, delivering weekly Hacker Nights, technical workshops, and the annual PolyPwn CTF to engineering students, funded by corporate sponsorships.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersMontreal, Canada
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What polycyber does
PolyCyber is a student-run cybersecurity technical society at Polytechnique Montréal, founded in 2013 and operating as a non-profit community rather than a commercial entity. Its core function is cybersecurity education and competition enablement for the Polytechnique Montréal student body, delivered through weekly Hacker Nights (Mondays 6pm–9pm in room M-2103), technical workshops spanning beginner to advanced topics (cryptography, web exploitation, reverse engineering, Active Directory, malware analysis, binary exploitation, OSINT, network forensics), and an annual PolyPwn Capture-The-Flag competition that drew over 200 participants in 2025 and is scheduled for March 21, 2026.
The organization's technology footprint is modest and education-oriented: a Docusaurus-based resource library at ressources.polycyber.io hosting guides, CTF write-ups, and workshop materials; a dedicated Root-Me Pro training environment at polycyber.pro.root-me.org; and a GitHub organization (github.com/polycyber) for challenge repositories and workshop code. Curated access is also provided to external platforms (HackTheBox, TryHackMe, CryptoHack, Web Security Academy, Hackropole). PolyCyber fields a ranked CTFTime team (#59057) and participates annually in prestigious external competitions including NorthSec and HackFest.
The business model is non-commercial. Operating funds are sourced from corporate sponsorships (Cybereco, National Bank, I-Tracing, Advens, ESET, Root-Me Pro and others contactable via [email protected]) and ticketing fees for PolyPwn (managed through Zeffy). Governance rests on an annually elected executive committee — for 2024-2025, President Dora B. leads with VPs for Training/Competitions, Sponsorships, Communications, and Infrastructure. The society is not incorporated for equity, has no funding rounds, no paid staff, and serves as a pipeline between Polytechnique Montréal and Quebec's cybersecurity industry.
polycyber firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- polycyber
- Legal name
- PolyCyber
- Website
- https://polycyber.io
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- PolyCyber is a non-profit student cybersecurity society at Polytechnique Montréal, founded 2013, delivering weekly Hacker Nights, technical workshops, and the annual PolyPwn CTF to engineering students, funded by corporate sponsorships.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
polycyber industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Cybersecurity Education and Training
- NAICS
- Computer Training (61142), Business Schools and Computer and Management Training (6114)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Cybersecurity Learning Platforms (EDAFANAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Application Security & Secure Software (DevSecOps) (EDAOAIAK), IT, Software & Cybersecurity Training (EDAGANAF), Secure Software & DevOps Awareness (Secure Coding Basics) (EDABAGAN)
Keywords
Where polycyber is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Montreal
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
polycyber business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Personnel
Revenue model
- Sponsorship Revenue: Corporate sponsors provide financial and in-kind support to fund competitions, events, workshops, and club activities. Sponsorship tiers include various benefits for sponsors.
- Event Ticketing: PolyPwn CTF competition charges registration fees (e.g., Zeffy ticketing platform for 2026 edition)
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels9 records
polycyber product offering
Product offeringCore offering
PolyCyber is a student cybersecurity society at Polytechnique Montréal, operating since 2013, that delivers cybersecurity education through weekly Hacker Nights, technical workshops spanning beginner to advanced topics, and the annual PolyPwn Capture The Flag competition. It also maintains a Docusaurus-based documentation platform (ressources.polycyber.io) with guides, CTF write-ups, and workshop materials, and provides members with curated access to training platforms such as Root-Me Pro, HackTheBox, TryHackMe, and CryptoHack.
Product overview
PolyCyber is not a product company but rather a technical society and community organization at Polytechnique Montréal that provides educational cybersecurity resources, organizes weekly Hacker Nights workshops, runs CTF (Capture the Flag) competitions (including the annual PolyPwn CTF), and publishes training materials and guides. The organization does not offer commercial software products or services. Its primary offering is community-driven education and skill development in cybersecurity, with resources hosted on a Docusaurus-based documentation platform at ressources.polycyber.io.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- PolyPwn: Annual CTF (Capture the Flag) cybersecurity competition organized by PolyCyber at Polytechnique Montréal
Products and services
- PolyPwn CTF Competition Annual Capture The Flag competition organized by PolyCyber at Polytechnique Montréal, with multiple tracks for different skill levels, sponsored prizes (1st/2nd/3rd place, Prix de la Relève, Prix Propolys), and registration handled via the Zeffy ticketing platform.
- Hacker Nights (Weekly Workshop Series)
Quantifiable outcome
- 200+ participants expected at annual PolyPwn CTF competition
Companies that use polycyber
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles3 records
polycyber technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
polycyber partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- CyberecocoreFounded in 2018, Cybereco brings together business leaders and higher education representatives in Quebec and Canada to accelerate development of world-class workforce and effective technological solutions. PolyCyber organizes an annual CTF competition with Cybereco.
- Banque Nationale (National Bank)coreOne of Canada's top employers offering a dynamic environment. Cybersecurity is essential at the bank with extensive recruitment in pentesting, cyber defense, and governance. Long-term partner supporting PolyCyber activities.
- I-TracingcoreEuropean pure-player cybersecurity service provider leader supporting over 500 clients globally. Generated 145 million euros revenue in 2024 with 700 employees in France, Switzerland, UK, Canada, Malaysia, China, and Hong Kong. Provides presentations and training at PolyCyber events (e.g., PolyHx 2022).
- AdvensminorFrench leader in independent and sovereign cybersecurity present throughout France, Quebec, and Europe. Protects organizations 24/7, 365 days a year. Financial performance supports impactful projects through 'Advens for People And Planet' endowment fund. Conducted SOC analysis workshop with PolyCyber (November 2024).
- ESETminorGlobal cybersecurity leader recognized for over 30 years with innovative solutions protecting businesses and individuals. Actively supports educational initiatives. Hosts interns at Montreal research office specializing in malware reverse engineering.
- Root-Me ProcoreLeading French cybersecurity player created in 2019, specializing in training, awareness, and skills assessment. Offers tailored solutions for businesses and educational institutions. PolyCyber has a dedicated challenge environment on their platform (polycyber.pro.root-me.org/).
- Polytechnique MontréalcoreOne of Canada's leading engineering schools, internationally recognized. Provides critical support enabling PolyCyber projects. Offers certificates, microprograms, specializations, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs in cybersecurity. Primary host institution.
- IMC2 (Institut Multidisciplinaire en Cybersécurité et Cyberrésilience)minorMultidisciplinary institute based on partnership between Polytechnique Montréal (initiator), Université de Montréal, and HEC Montréal. Federates campus resources for ambitious cybersecurity projects. Key Canadian actor in cybersecurity expertise.
- STEP (Service télématique des étudiants de Polytechnique)minorStudent committee at Polytechnique that helps maintain IT infrastructure supporting PolyCyber operations.
- NorthSeccoreMajor cybersecurity conference and competition in Montreal. PolyCyber participates annually with their CTF team.
- HackFestcorePrestigious CTF competition in Quebec. PolyCyber participates annually with their team.
- PropolysminorTechnology incubator at Polytechnique Montréal offering specialized program for cybersecurity entrepreneurs. 6-month intensive incubation for 6-8 projects per cohort.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
polycyber competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- NorthSec: Montreal-based cybersecurity conference and CTF competition. PolyCyber participates annually with its CTF team, and NorthSec is one of PolyCyber's core competition partnerships—directly comparable Quebec-based cybersecurity training/competition event organizer.
- HackFest: Prestigious Quebec CTF and cybersecurity conference that PolyCyber's team competes in annually. Directly comparable in format (capture-the-flag competitions) and regional footprint to PolyCyber's PolyPwn event.
- Hack The Box: Global cybersecurity training platform used by PolyCyber members for hands-on practice and competition preparation. Comparable as a cybersecurity learning platform targeting practitioners and students with CTF-style challenges.
- Root-Me / Root-Me Pro: French cybersecurity training platform and core technology partner of PolyCyber (PolyCyber hosts a dedicated challenge environment at polycyber.pro.root-me.org). Directly comparable as a cybersecurity learning/training platform serving students and professionals.
- TryHackMe: Cybersecurity training platform widely used by PolyCyber members. Directly comparable as a beginner-to-advanced gamified cybersecurity learning environment targeting students and early-career practitioners.
- CSAW (NYU Cybersecurity Games): NYU-organized student-led cybersecurity competition and education program. Highly comparable to PolyCyber as a university-hosted community running CTFs, workshops, and applied security training.
- Concordia University Cybersecurity Club: Other Montreal-based university cybersecurity student club. Directly comparable as a peer student organization delivering cybersecurity workshops, CTF practice, and industry networking to engineering students in the same city.
Regional players
- Cybereco: Quebec cybersecurity ecosystem organization that co-organizes an annual CTF with PolyCyber. Comparable as a Quebec-based cybersecurity workforce/talent development initiative, though it operates at an industry-cluster level rather than a single student society.
Broad incumbents
- SANS Institute: Established global leader in cybersecurity training and certifications. Comparable as a cybersecurity training provider, though operating at commercial scale and serving professional/enterprise audiences rather than a student society.
- ESET: Global cybersecurity vendor and PolyCyber partner (hosts interns at Montreal research office specializing in malware reverse engineering). Comparable as a cybersecurity employer/sponsor engaging with student talent, though operating at enterprise scale across a much broader product portfolio.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
polycyber social profiles
Digital presencepolycyber financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
polycyber leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
polycyber funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
polycyber M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about polycyber
What does polycyber do?
PolyCyber is a student cybersecurity society at Polytechnique Montréal, operating since 2013, that delivers cybersecurity education through weekly Hacker Nights, technical workshops spanning beginner to advanced topics, and the annual PolyPwn Capture The Flag competition. It also maintains a Docusaurus-based documentation platform (ressources.polycyber.io) with guides, CTF write-ups, and workshop materials, and provides members with curated access to training platforms such as Root-Me Pro, HackTheBox, TryHackMe, and CryptoHack.
Is polycyber a public or private company?
polycyber is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was polycyber founded?
polycyber was founded in 2013.
Where is polycyber based?
polycyber is headquartered in Montreal, Canada, in the North America region.
How does polycyber make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Sponsorship Revenue is the primary driver. The others are event Ticketing.
Who are polycyber's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are NorthSec, HackFest, Hack The Box, Root-Me / Root-Me Pro, TryHackMe, CSAW (NYU Cybersecurity Games) and Concordia University Cybersecurity Club. Cybereco is listed as a regional player. Broad incumbents are SANS Institute and ESET.
Does polycyber have an API?
No public API is recorded for polycyber.
What industry is polycyber in?
polycyber's product category is Cybersecurity Education and Training. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAFANAF, Cybersecurity Learning Platforms, with a secondary code of EDAOAIAK, Application Security & Secure Software (DevSecOps). Its NAICS code is 61142 and its SIC code is 8200.