{
  "id": 18347792,
  "title": "The ex-Secret Service agent who flipped a hacker is now raising a second $250M cybersecurity fund",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/05/the-ex-secret-service-agent-who-flipped-a-hacker-is-now-raising-a",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-11-05T18:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "TechCrunch",
    "slug": "techcrunch",
    "url": "https://techcrunch.com/2026/11/05/the-ex-secret-service-agent-who-flipped-a-hacker-is-now-raising-a-second-250m-cybersecurity-fund/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Stephen Ward, a former Secret Service agent and cybersecurity expert, has launched a new $250 million cybersecurity fund in New York. This is his second fund, following a $250 million debut in late 2023. Ward's background includes stints in the Coast Guard, the Secret Service, and high-level positions at TIAA and Home Depot before he entered the investment world. His unique background has helped him secure significant exits, such as CrowdStrike's acquisition of identity security startup SGNL for $740 million, a deal that occurred just 11 months after Brightmind led its Series A. Ward's fund is now targeting the same size as its previous one, capitalizing on the trend of early-stage cybersecurity startups raising more money than later-stage rivals for the first time in over a decade. The partnership that built Brightmind ended in April, with Ward continuing to lead the firm as its sole general partner.",
  "summary": "Stephen Ward, a former Secret Service agent and Home Depot CISO, is preparing a second fund of roughly $250 million for Brightmind Partners.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}