1. Characteristics of your startup
The Crashtest Security Suite is a fully automated black-box penetration testing tool, which checks web applications for the OWASP Top 10 vulnerabilities. The solution is unique in its way, as it integrates seamlessly into agile development workflows (providing usable security to developers) and allows the real-time detection of vulnerabilities due to automated security scanning on the test system after every deployment. The easily understandable reporting, scoring after the CVSS (Common Vulnerability Scoring System) and link to a developer focused knowledge base allows software developers and managers the quick prioritization and efficient remediation of detected vulnerabilities. The Crashtest Security Suite allows companies to continuously create secure software and protect valuable customer and business data.
2. Team characteristics
The founding team consists out of the three computer science students , Janosch, René and Daniel, from the TU Munich and the management student, Felix, from the University of Mannheim. They grew up in the same area near Munich and have known each other for several years already. Daniel is responsible for organizing the backend, whereas René creates the frontend of the Crashtest Security Suite. Janosch builds the bridge between technical and business aspects, being responsible for technical sales and the security scanner development. Felix takes care of the finances, sales and marketing.
3. Business development and challenges
Since January the focus was on developing the product, now we are finally ready to launch in our open beta phase. This means switch from developing the product to actually selling it, which is currently one of our hardest challenges, getting people to pay for our product. The second big challenge that is coming up at the end of 2017 is successfully raising our first round of financing. In the future it will be important to find the right balance between developing and selling the product as we are a very tech focused start-up. But of course we will master all these challenges.