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The Cybersecurity x SaaS Bootcamp

9.1

(18 ratings)

·

2 Weeks

·

Cohort-based Course

Featuring: 1) Vijay Bolina, CISO of Google's DeepMind 2) Emilio Escobar, CISO of Datadog 3) Stan Zlotsky, Ex Morgan Stanley E-Director

Hosted by

Thomas Robb and Francis Odum

Cybersecurity and software professionals within the industry

Course overview

For those who want to learn cybersecurity and software fundamentals.

A bootcamp dedicated to operators and investors who want to learn how to analyze cybersecurity technologies and the financials behind these companies.


This program is built on detailed case studies from Palo Alto Networks, Datadog and Crowdstrike. 


Cybersecurity Industry deep-dive: If you’re a professional or investor who wants to broaden your understanding of the cybersecurity industry. This is for you!


The bootcamp delves deep into frameworks for simplifying the complex world of cybersecurity. We’ll cover the key technologies used in cybersecurity as well as frameworks for differentiating the key differences between the major companies.



Software financial analysis: If you’re a professional with no interest in cybersecurity but want to get better at understanding SaaS financials and analyzing software companies like Snowflake, Datadog and more. This is for you!


The second half of the program delves into concepts like how to build a SaaS financial model, differentiating between bookings vs. billings, FCF, and more.

Who Is This BootCamp For?

01

Tech professionals who want to understand the technology details of cybersecurity. Individuals with a desire to move into cybersecurity.

02

SaaS Operators and Investors: Individuals with a desire to gain a better understanding of analyzing software financials and SaaS metrics.

03

Cybersecurity professionals: Individuals who want to broaden and get a better understanding of newer categories of cybersecurity.



04

Public or Private Investors who want an easy framework to grasp the complicated cybersecurity landscape.


How to find cybersecurity winners.

What you’ll get out of this bootcamp:

An easy framework for understanding the cybersecurity industry, its technologies and companies


  • Become better at understanding the complex cybersecurity industry and its core technologies.


  • In-depth understanding of endpoint, network, cloud, AI, data and identity security.



  • Be able to identify and distinguish the key differences amongst the technologies.
How to build a SaaS financial model, analyzing software companies and core SaaS 101 metrics


  • Develop a strong analytical framework for analyzing software income statements, balance sheets and cash flow statements.



  • Be able to drill down into RPO, comparing Bookings vs. Billings and key software metrics.
Becoming a better cybersecurity and software financial analyst


  • Analyze all the financial and technical lingo in an earnings call like a professional.



  • You’ll become fluent in SaaS financial concepts and terminologies.
Becoming a cybersecurity and software strategist


  • You’ll become better at comparing and dissecting the differences in public cybersecurity companies.


  • Understand what differentiates Crowdstrike vs. SentinelOne or Palo Alto Networks vs. Fortinet.



  • Be able to speak articulately on key software metrics to drive strategic decision
Networking opportunities with other top-level operators and investors



  • Network with other software investors and operators who are passionate about learning the same topic within your domain of interest.



  • Join our long-term Slack community with other operators and investors from venture capital firms, and large tech companies

Meet your instructors

Thomas Robb

Thomas Robb

SaaS and Privacy Professional

Thomas is currently Senior Director, FP&A and IR at OneTrust, a leader in the Privacy and Trust industry. He was previously a Senior Manager, Finance at Celonis, one of the largest private SaaS companies.


Thomas spent over 6 years as a software analyst at the Morgan Stanley, covering 13 vertical SaaS companies (representing ~$65bn of market valuation), charged with conducting complex software financial modeling and analysis.

Francis Odum

Francis Odum

Cybersecurity Venture Capitalist and Research Professional

Francis has covered private and public cybersecurity companies at venture capital firms like Contrary Capital in San Francisco and on his platform, the Investi Analyst over the last three years.


Francis was previously a product lead for data and ML projects at a leading financial institution. He consults with investors and operators who need to develop a better understanding of the cybersecurity ecosystem.

Course schedule

5-6 hours per week
  • September 11-24, 2023

    Session Syllabus

    • Frameworks for the cybersecurity industry
    • Software 101 - SaaS ARR & revenue metrics
    • Datadog and cloud security overview
    • SaaS expenses, FCF & valuation
    • Crowdstrike and endpoint security overview
    • Bookings, billings, and collections
    • Palo Alto Networks, identity and network security
  • Tuesdays & Thursdays

    7:00 - 9:00 PM EST

    • Ample Q&A sessions
    • Every session is recorded, with live replays available immediately after a class.
  • Special Guest Speaker Sessions

    Weekends

    • Engage with Software-focused buy-side guest speakers (VCs, PEs and Hedge funds)
    • Opportunity to ask questions from a leading CISO executive.
    • Technical cybersecurity expert calls and interviews during bootcamp
  • Exclusive Deep Dives & SaaS Models

    Resources

    • Exclusive deep dives and reports on the cybersecurity industry
    • Exclusive reports on cloud, endpoint, Identity, and network security.
    • Exclusive guides on software metrics and SaaS 101.
  • Community Access

    Ongoing special events & resources

    • Opportunity to join our community of SaaS Investors, Venture capitalists and operators
    • Network with fellow-minded individuals within the industry.
    • Access to our quarterly events with experts within the security and software investing ecosystem

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Course Syllabus

01

Software Investing Foundations

This covers the fundamental elements of SaaS ARR, revenue metrics, customer and retention metrics. This is built around a case study of Datadog’s financials. Analyzing a software balanced sheet and income statement.

02

Introduction to Cybersecurity and Framework for Understanding the Industry

This session will go through different frameworks for simplifying the complex world of cybersecurity. This session would help participants easily differentiate between all the key security companies.

03

Endpoint Security Industry - Crowdstrike In-depth Case Study

This session is focused on helping participants delve into the endpoint security industry. Identify the differences between Crowdstrike vs SentinelOne vs legacy players.

04

Cloud Security Industry & Observability - Datadog In-depth Case Study

This session delves into the cloud security and observability market. Objectives include identifying the differences between the public cloud and security companies. It covers the differences between cloud security companies.

05

Network Security Industry - Palo Alto Networks In-depth Case Study

This session delves into the network security industry with an in-depth overview of Palo Alto Networks. Identify the key differences between legacy vs. next-gen firewall companies. Key emerging trends like SASE.

06

SaaS FCF, Expenses and Valuation

A continuous deep dive into Datadog’s financials. Learn how to model a SaaS company’s financials and predict future performance. This component delves into SaaS Expenses, SaaS FCF and valuation. 

07

Bookings, Billings, RPO and Collections

A deep-dive into Palo Alto Networks financials. This part delves into how software bookings, billings, RPO and collections works for software companies. 

08

Open-ended Q&A sessions with guest speakers

We have some guest speakers including CISOs and leading security leaders from Fortune 500 companies to answer all your questions on the industry.

9.1

(18 ratings)

What people are saying

        Francis and Thomas immediately come to mind when I think of “thought leaders” in the SaaS investment space. The cybersecurity landscape is constantly evolving, and I’ve benefited tremendously from Francis’ deep dives on the sector. And Thomas is one of the first people I go to when I have a complex question regarding SaaS valuation and forecasting
CJ Gustafson

CJ Gustafson

CFO at Startup | Author Mostly Metrics
        The quality and level of detail surpasses most sell-side research produced today. I especially appreciate the fact that the product combines datapoints from public and private companies to generate insights. The product is a good fit for both industry participants trying to learn the financial side, but also financial professionals.
Ivana Spear

Ivana Spear

Fund Manager, Spears ETF
        Francis is one of those rare people that really understands the business of cybersecurity. The ease with which he breaks down technical complexity and ties it back to financial reality is illuminating for anyone interested in learning more about cyber"
Rak Garg

Rak Garg

Principal at Bain Capital Ventures
        Francis and Thom have played a pivotal role in enhancing my investment decisions regarding security companies. It serves as a comprehensive, one-stop guide, offering in-depth analysis and coverage of the intricate technological and financial aspects of security companies. The platform has provided me with invaluable insights with confidence"
Shubham Goel 

Shubham Goel 

Security Product Manager @ Netskope | Ex Uber, Exabeam
        Francis has an incredibly deep and nuanced understanding of the security sector. It goes beyond the surface level; he possesses a deep understanding of the history, evolution, and the direction in which the industry is heading. His expertise shines through, whether he's conducting extensive research on specific sectors like the SASE market"
Danel Dayan

Danel Dayan

Investor at Battery Ventures

Testimonials from Fortune 500 CEOs:

Testimonials from Fortune 500 CEOs:

Snapshots of our research

Fortune 500 CEOs and executives have read and shared our research.

Learning is better with cohorts

Learning is better with cohorts

Active hands-on learning

This course builds on live workshops and hands-on projects

Interactive and project-based

You’ll be interacting with other learners through breakout rooms and project teams

Learn with a cohort of peers

Join a community of like-minded people who want to learn and grow alongside you

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