In Founder Focus we introduce entrepreneurs and change-makers working on innovative startups, social enterprises and SME’s around Aotearoa New Zealand.
At a glance
Founder: Ankita Dhakar
Business: Capture The Bug
Founded: 2022
HQ: Waikato
Can you tell us a bit about your business?
At Capture The Bug, we’re revolutionising cybersecurity in ANZ with our cutting-edge Bug Bounty and Pentesting as a Service (PTaaS) platform. As the first of its kind in the region, we’re dedicated to helping organisations fortify their digital defences and stay one step ahead of cyber threats.
With our Bug Bounty program, we connect businesses with a global community of skilled ethical hackers who tirelessly search for vulnerabilities in their systems. By incentivizing these experts, we encourage them to uncover potential security weaknesses, ensuring your digital assets are protected from malicious attacks.
Our PTaaS platform goes beyond traditional pentesting by offering a scalable and flexible approach to security testing. We provide organisations with direct access to experienced security researchers who conduct comprehensive assessments of their systems, simulating real-world attacks. With this service, you can proactively identify and address vulnerabilities, minimising the risk of breaches and safeguarding your sensitive data.
What’s the backstory for your business idea?
The idea for Capture The Bug was born during a pentesting engagement with a client in New Zealand while running my cybersecurity consultancy, SecurityLit. The client raised a valid concern about how certain we were that we had identified all vulnerabilities in their application. Traditional pentesting, being a point-in-time analysis, had its limitations.
Recognizing the need for a more comprehensive and continuous security testing approach, I knew something had to be done. I realised that combining the power of bug bounties, which tap into the collective intelligence of ethical hackers worldwide, with a scalable Pentesting as a Service (PTaaS) platform could provide organisations with ongoing security assessments.
Driven by the desire to bridge this gap in the cybersecurity landscape, I founded Capture The Bug. Our mission is to democratise security testing for everyone.
What programmes, learning or mentoring, or resources have been of assistance so far?
One program that has provided valuable guidance and resources is the Electrify Accelerator. They have been instrumental in equipping me with the necessary tools and knowledge to build a global and scalable business.
In addition to the accelerator program, I have benefited from engaging with mentors who have extensive experience in the cybersecurity and entrepreneurship domains. Their insights, advice, and guidance have been invaluable in shaping my business strategy and navigating the challenges that arise along the way.
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