Ex-Secret Service Agent Raises $250M Cybersecurity Fund

Connie Loizos

Ex-Secret Service agent Connie Loizos flipped a hacker to launch Brightmind Partners' second $250M cybersecurity fund.

“You have to sell on the way up”

Brightmind Partners

Ward and Talpaz closed $250M fund in 2025, now raising second fund without co-founder.

Selling Strategy

Ward tracks security acquisitions to time exits before competitors react.

Hacker Flip

Ward flipped hacker after arresting him for largest credit card theft of era.

Operation Firewall

Hacker received 20-year sentence after Ward flipped him, podcast released.

Career Shift

Ward left Secret Service after 9 years to join J.P. Morgan in 2007.

TIAA and Home Depot

Ward held CISO roles at TIAA and Home Depot before founding Brightmind.

Wiz Acquisition

Wiz acquired by Google for $32 billion in 2025, Ward worked on its security software.

Brightmind Fund

Brightmind made 14 investments with one exit: SGNL sold for $740M.

PitchBook Data

Early-stage cybersecurity startups raised $4.7B in seed-through-Series B deals through September 2026.

AI Security Focus

Ward questions how much of $4.7B is for AI security, manual review found only 30 true cases.

Brightmind's Second Fund

Second fund targets $250M, 20% on AI infrastructure, 40% startups from Tel Aviv.

Team Structure

Brightmind has five people: COO Iva Messy, CTO Jamie Mneimneh, Sven Wollschlaeger, Taylor Cleveland.

Investment Philosophy

Ward focuses on second-time founders who stick together for better exits.

3x Net Fund Goal

Ward aims for 3x net fund return before celebrating, driven by financial insecurity.