It’s an open secret in tech and cybersecurity that buying software can be a nightmare. Typically, buyers are met with a button that reads “Contact Us Now” or “Let’s Talk,” which then leads to endless calls, a revolving cycle of demos, and generic sales pitches, all of which never seem to answer the one question that matters: Does this tool really work?
But, for our CEO, Mariana Padilla, that frustration wasn’t just an inconvenience but a problem worth solving. Our dynamic leadership team of Mariana, a Cincinnati-based entrepreneur, and Craig Ellrod, a Denver-based cybersecurity veteran with over 30 years in the industry, met and bonded over their shared frustrations and disdain for how inefficient cybersecurity sales can be.
This incredible collaboration looked to tackle an ongoing issue: buyers need and deserve a better way to test tools before committing to a purchase. And with that, that’s exactly what they built.
The Birth of HACKERverse®
The HACKERverse® is an AI-powered platform launched in 2022; our tech provides a cutting-edge self-service Proof of Concept (PoC) platform built specifically for cybersecurity software.
Whether CISOs or security teams are looking to test potential products in real-time, these buyers can see precisely what they’re buying rather than waiting and sitting through an endless number of one-size-fits-all vendor demos, relying solely on sales promises.
On the other hand, vendors can build, host, and showcase their PoCs on the HACKERverse® platform. With our help, organizations can quickly cut through the noise and prove their product’s effectiveness without the back-and-forth of traditional sales cycles.
This concept isn’t just about real-world validation; passive testing is done seamlessly in real-time. We’re also about community, which is fundamental to our ongoing success and growth at the HACKERverse®. That’s why we host events like World Hacker Games™, an “MMA ring” for cybersecurity tools. These exciting gatherings allow ethical hackers to battle-test solutions, locating potential weaknesses and confirming strengths in a high-stakes environment.
Mariana likes to say that in cybersecurity, “There are a lot of tools out there that simply don’t work. That’s a huge problem. We’re giving cybersecurity buyers more control and making sure the best solutions rise to the top.”
The $157 Billion Problem: A Big Issue with Big Earning Potential
Currently, over 70% of enterprise cybersecurity tools are underused, which is when you crunch the numbers, that’s a big problem. Out of $222 billion, that puts the total dollar amount at $157 billion worth of solutions are sitting idle—either because they weren’t the right fit or were never fully implemented.
As a result, buyers are left frustrated and without a viable solution, meaning the whole industry is operating massively inefficiently. Thankfully, we at the HACKERverse® are here to fix that. Mariana likes to say, “There’s a growing demand on both sides—vendors and buyers—for a better way to evaluate security tools. We’re building it.”
You see, it’s not us who sees this agonizing issue. Cincy Inno recently released an article on 25 of the top startups in the region, and we’re both humbled and over the moon to be one of them. Their research uncovered some eye-opening numbers, reinforcing what we already knew: cybersecurity buyers demand a new, more effective way to evaluate and invest in tools that work.HACKERverse® is here to make that happen.
2025 is All About Scaling Up and Looking Ahead
After pivoting at the beginning of 2024, we at the HACKERverse® have enjoyed seeing our platform gain some serious traction. Since making that change, 16 vendors have joined, and a buyer waitlist is over 2,000 ahead of the official March release.
Upon completion as one of the key startups in Techstars Chicago AI cohort, HACKERverse® received $120,000 in funding and industry validation that has accelerated growth and customer acquisition.
And with that, truth be told, this isn’t just another business for our CEO—it’s a mission.
Mariana likes to preach that “In cybersecurity, community is everything. This isn’t just a job for many people in this space—it’s about defending the internet. That mindset hooked me.”
With her marketing, storytelling, and business strategy background, Mariana brings a unique perspective to cybersecurity sales that prioritizes transparency, efficiency, and real-world validation over traditional sales tactics.
With all that behind us, 2025 looks bright as HACKERverse® gears up for a multimillion-dollar fundraiser and continues redefining how cybersecurity software is bought and sold.
HACK Your Sales Cycle with HACKERverse® AI!
If this got you thinking about faster, smarter PoCs, you’re in the right place. We’re redefining cybersecurity sales by cutting PoC timelines from months to days. Want to stay ahead? Explore HACKERverse® AI, see how our AI-powered platform transforms sales cycles, and join our thriving community today!
