Gur Talpaz

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been obsessed with and amazed by technological innovation. Some of my most vivid childhood memories include installing Windows 95 (via 13 floppy disks) and being fascinated by how systems work—and how they can be improved.

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I’ve always been fascinated with the concept of rationality. I earned my economics degree from the University of Chicago, where I focused on the theories of efficient markets vs. behavioral economics. One of the reasons I’ve gravitated to the cyber market is my theory that the cybersecurity market is long-term rational. Companies that demonstrate superior efficacy coupled with minimized disruption will outperform their peers.

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My career path has, in many ways, been non-traditional. I spent 15 years in equity research, focused on software (including a heavy focus on on-prem/license to SaaS transitions). In 2013, I became the first pure-play cybersecurity analyst on Wall Street and aligned closely to the most disruptive vendors in the space.

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In 2017, I joined CrowdStrike as Vice President of Corporate Development. There, I had the privilege of leading global M&A strategy and launching the Falcon Fund, a corporate venture arm designed to accelerate innovation through partnerships with startups across cybersecurity and IT infrastructure. Leading M&A taught me that its true value lies not in the deals themselves, but in the privilege of working with founders, supporting their vision, and helping them reach milestones that transform both their companies and their lives.

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Now, at Brightmind Partners, I invest in the next generation of cybersecurity leaders. I believe the most enduring companies in this market are those that combine superior protection with ease of adoption—a principle that has guided my work from the beginning.

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My greatest joy is being a father, and the pride that comes from my heritage. As the son of a Polish-born cancer researcher, and the grandson of both a Holocaust survivor and a partisan fighter, I’ve inherited lessons of resilience, joy, and moral clarity. Those values shape my view of cybersecurity as more than a career—it is a mission to protect the good.