The Power of Innovation: A Personal Reflection on Cisco Investments and the Startup Ecosystem

Over the past several years, I’ve had the privilege of hosting Cisco Investments’ networking events at RSA, and each time, I’m reminded of how transformative these gatherings are—not just for the startups we invest in, but for the broader security and technology ecosystem. These events are more than just networking opportunities; they are celebrations of collaboration and innovation, showcasing the incredible impact that partnerships between Cisco and the startup community can have.

At Cisco Investments, our mission goes far beyond providing capital to startups. We strive to become a trusted partner, offering the tools, connections, and insights to help these companies grow while ensuring Cisco stays ahead of the curve in an ever-evolving technology landscape. A key differentiator for us is our Portfolio Development Team, which drives strategic synergy by helping startups sell to, through, and with Cisco. This program facilitates product integrations that address customer needs while delivering value across Cisco's ecosystem. It’s a reciprocal relationship—one that benefits everyone involved.

Investing in Innovation

One of the most exciting aspects of my role as Cisco Investments’ Communications and Marketing Lead is seeing how we not only support promising startups but also help Cisco stay on the cutting edge of technology. 

By identifying emerging trends and fostering partnerships with innovative companies, we gain valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of security. These collaborations don’t just benefit the startups—they help Cisco maintain its leadership in a rapidly evolving technology landscape.

"We work very closely with Cisco Investments to evaluate the market, what’s out there, what startups are really hot, growing, and new,” says Matt Caulfield, Vice President of Product Management, Duo & Identity, Cisco Security Product Management Organization. “It’s a dynamic ecosystem, and we need to stay on top of it. Cisco Investments lets us do that."

This dynamic approach allows Cisco to stay at the forefront of emerging trends, while also accelerating innovation across our portfolio and delivering more value to customers.

Artificial intelligence has been a key focus for us, and with the launch of Cisco’s billion-dollar AI fund, we’ve made significant strides in fostering innovation in this space. These investments reflect our commitment to shaping the future of AI and its applications across industries.

"We’ve now invested in or acquired over 30 AI companies,” explains Noah Yago, Vice President at Cisco Investments. “We’ve invested up and down the stack, from foundational models to infrastructure players to the application layer, including security. We’re incredibly excited to be a part of the next-generation data center."

These investments highlight the scale and ambition of our work, helping Cisco and our partners address some of the most complex challenges in the modern security landscape.

Building Meaningful Partnerships

What truly sets Cisco Investments apart is the opportunity to learn and grow through our partnerships. By working closely with startups, we gain a deeper understanding of emerging use cases, shifting requirements, and the most pressing challenges in the market. 

These relationships aren’t just about funding—they are about fostering a two-way exchange of knowledge that benefits both Cisco and the startups we support.

"This is the way we learn about the new use cases, the new requirements, the new problems to solve,” Raj Chopra, Senior Vice President and Chief Product Officer, Cisco Security Product Management Organization shares. “Our investments in startups are a core part of that learning. Equally, the startups learn from Cisco how to invest and how to work in the enterprise to be able to close deals, not just engage, but also close."

Through the Cisco Investments Portfolio Development Team, for instance, we help startups navigate the complexities of working with a global organization like Cisco. Whether it’s facilitating introductions, providing early customer feedback, or connecting startups with our channel partners, we ensure that our portfolio companies have the support they need to thrive.

"If you’re looking for early customer feedback, Cisco’s own organizations can give you unique access to customers as design partners, explains Anand Raghavan, a former founder and current Vice President of AI Products, Cisco Security Product Management Organization. “Ready to sell? We can bring Cisco to you as an early customer, giving you valuable feedback and a Fortune 100 reference point for your future conversations."

This partnership-driven approach creates opportunities for startups to scale faster and smarter.

"Working alongside one of the largest tech organizations on the planet gives startups the ability to grow faster and smarter," Raghavan adds.

One of the most inspiring examples I’ve seen is how startups like Robust Intelligence have grown through their collaboration with Cisco. 

Initially an investment, Robust Intelligence became a strategic acquisition, enabling Cisco to enhance the security and reliability of our AI-driven solutions. These are the kinds of success stories that highlight the value of what we do—fostering innovation while delivering meaningful outcomes for both Cisco and the startups we partner with.

Reflecting on Five Years of Progress

Looking back on the past several years of attending these RSA events, I’m struck by how much has changed—and how much has stayed the same. The technologies we invest in have evolved, with new focus areas like generative AI, data security, and deepfake detection emerging as critical priorities.

But the core of what we do—building relationships, driving innovation, and creating value—remains as strong as ever.

"There were several things that made the Cisco team stand out,” says Matt Moynahan, CEO of GetReal Security. “First, the people. They were deeply networked into Cisco as an organization, and their intent to help us succeed was critical. Second, the shared vision. For our company, which focuses on deep fakes and generative AI, Cisco’s commitment to protecting the integrity of its brand and products aligned perfectly with our mission."

What makes this work so rewarding is not just the technologies we help bring to market, but the people behind them. The founders, engineers, and visionaries I’ve had the chance to meet over the years are some of the most passionate and creative individuals I’ve ever encountered. Their drive to solve complex problems and push the boundaries of what’s possible is nothing short of inspiring.

Looking Forward to Next Year’s Event

I’m filled with optimism for what’s to come. At Cisco Investments, we’re not just adapting to the future—we’re helping to define it. By staying close to the startup ecosystem, we’re able to maintain our edge and strengthen Cisco’s credibility in the market.

"Staying close to the startup ecosystem not only helps us talk to customers with more intelligence, but it also gives us credibility,” Caulfield says. “It shows how much we’re innovating and fostering a diverse ecosystem of startups that are complementary to the Cisco portfolio."

To everyone who has been a part of this journey—whether as a partner, startup founder, or Cisco team member—thank you. Your contributions have been instrumental in making Cisco Investments what it is today. I look forward to continuing this journey together, driving progress, and shaping the future of technology. If you’re interested in staying close to our activities, follow us on social media, and sign up for our quarterly newsletter.