Forging the future of security with Rey Kirton at Forgepoint Capital

In the never-ending vortex of Silicon Valley's hype cycle, it's easy to get lost in the sea of superficial success stories and forget that true innovation often requires patience, persistence, and a willingness to disrupt the status quo – not just a fancy logo or a tweet from a billionaire CEO. Inside of the froth however, there are investors and venture capitalists that think carefully about who they are investing in, why it is a durable venture and how to create the best impact for everyone. In this episode of Secure Talk, host Justin Beals welcomes Rey Kirton from Forge Point Capital to discuss venture capital's unique role in the cybersecurity industry. Rey shares his journey from consulting to venture capital, outlining the importance of building meaningful long-term relationships with companies he invests in. He explains how Forge Point Capital develops investment theses and highlights the value of solution-based, data-driven AI applications. The conversation delves into the significance of listening to customer feedback, industry patterns, and emerging themes like edge computing and AI in cybersecurity. The episode is a must-listen for founders and investors navigating the current market landscape, offering insights into building successful business partnerships and understanding evolving technology trends. 00:00 Welcome to SecureTalk 00:36 Introducing Our Guest: Ray Kirton 01:30 Rey Kirton's Career Journey 02:25 Venture Capital Insights 05:14 The Role of ForgePoint Capital 06:55 Investment Strategies and Challenges 17:01 AI in Cybersecurity 21:45 Leveraging Proprietary Data for AI and Data Science 23:19 The Rise and Fall of Blockchain and Crypto Hype 28:10 Understanding Venture Capital Dynamics 34:31 Future Trends in Technology and Investment 37:56 Advice for Aspiring Founders 39:09 The Importance of Customer Feedback 42:47 Building Strong Investor Relationships