Ballistic Ventures and Pursuit partner to launch the Ballistic X Pursuit Cyber Fellows initiative, bridging the industry’s skills gap and enhancing economic opportunities.
Ballistic Ventures, a venture capital firm with a focus on cybersecurity, and Pursuit, a social impact organization prioritizing workforce development, have unveiled the Ballistic X Pursuit Cyber Fellows program. This pioneering venture is designed to address the critical shortage of qualified cybersecurity professionals by offering comprehensive training and support to individuals from diverse and non-traditional backgrounds, positioning them for success in the field.
The cybersecurity sector is experiencing rapid expansion, yet it faces a severe talent shortfall. Opportunities within the industry are frequently inaccessible to those from unconventional backgrounds. The newly announced program seeks to remedy this issue by leveraging Pursuit’s effective software development training regimen, thus equipping promising candidates with the tools necessary for employment and advancement in cybersecurity roles.
“The Ballistic X Pursuit Cyber Fellows program is more than an initiative for diversity; it’s a fulcrum for innovation, creating a melting pot of unique perspectives that lead to novel ideas and technologies. We, at Ballistic, are committed to harnessing these diverse insights to bridge the skills gap and sculpt the future of cybersecurity,” commented Jake Seid, Co-founder and General Partner at Ballistic Ventures.
Historically, Pursuit’s programs have dramatically transformed participants’ earning potential, with fellows increasing their average annual income from $18,000 to over $90,000, securing positions at top-tier firms. The Ballistic X Pursuit Cyber Fellows program aims to replicate this success within the cybersecurity domain.
“Pursuit has consistently aimed to rewrite the story for underrepresented groups. The collaboration with Ballistic Ventures under the Ballistic X Pursuit Cyber Fellows program is a powerful demonstration of how equipping skilled individuals with the right resources and connecting them with industry leaders can have a profound impact,” shared Jukay Hsu, Co-founder and CEO of Pursuit.
Founding participants, including Blackstone and other corporate allies, have pledged to employ program fellows within their cybersecurity teams. These founding members, and future partners, will benefit from the program’s commitment to nurturing long-term talent, offering three years of continuous on-the-job support and training.
“Joining the Ballistic X Pursuit Cyber Fellows program as a founding member was a natural decision. Our positive experience with Pursuit in the past made this initiative a logical step forward, allowing us to tap into a wider pool of cyber-trained talent,” stated Adam Fletcher, Chief Security Officer at Blackstone.
A group of early-stage fellows have already completed their cybersecurity training with Pursuit and have embarked on successful roles at Blackstone, underscoring the program’s potential.
Lili Huang, a fellow specializing in Cloud Security at Blackstone Cybersecurity, expressed confidence in her success, attributing it to the ongoing support and comprehensive training offered by Pursuit.
The Ballistic X Pursuit Cyber Fellows program not only aims to transform individual lives and families but also seeks to revolutionize entire industries. It calls upon the corporate community to join forces in this endeavor, particularly those with cybersecurity hiring plans for 2024.
