TechCrunch's Found Podcast Live With Window Snyder | TechCrunch Disrupt 2023

TL;DR

Window Snyder, CEO of Thistle Technologies, discusses her journey in the cybersecurity space and the importance of making security capabilities easy for device makers.

Transcript

foreign you're the last of the Great Pretenders here you are you're actually here for the third day well done can we form a fan club or something um it's been fantastic to have TechCrunch disrupt here in uh San Francisco and this is the last day and this is you are now on security so I hope you're feeling very secure um this you're going to hear fr... Read More

Key Insights

• 👾 The cybersecurity space fascinates Snyder due to her passion for cryptography and her curiosity about system security mechanisms.
• 🌉 Thistle Technologies aims to bridge the gap between robust security capabilities and device makers' ability to incorporate them effectively.
• 🔒 The company's initial focus on hardware platforms that already prioritize security makes it easier for device makers to adopt their security capabilities.
• 🔒 Making security easy is a challenge, but it is crucial in driving widespread adoption and long-term security resilience in devices.
• 🧑‍🏫 Snyder's background in large companies like Apple and Microsoft taught her the importance of making things easy and supporting developers within a company.
• 💗 Fundraising is always a challenge, but Snyder's industry expertise and the growing recognition of the security problem helped secure support for Thistle Technologies.
• 🙈 Building Thistle Technologies has been personally gratifying for Snyder, seeing the idea transform into a product that solves a real problem and having an impact in the industry.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Window Snyder get interested in the cybersecurity space?

Snyder's interest in cryptography and multi-user operating systems led her to explore the security mechanisms within systems. She became part of the hacker community in Boston, discovering and building tools to enhance system security.

Q: What influenced Snyder to become an entrepreneur and start Thistle Technologies?

After witnessing the lack of security in devices during her tenure at Square and Fastly, Snyder recognized the need for long-term security resilience. She aimed to make it easy for device makers to incorporate robust security capabilities, leading her to launch Thistle Technologies.

Q: What challenges did Snyder face when fundraising for her startup during the pandemic?

While convincing investors of the significance of the security problem was not challenging, finding the right timing and conveying the industry's readiness for Thistle's capabilities was a hurdle. However, partnering with Infineon and focusing on hardware first helped overcome this challenge.

Q: How has Snyder built the company culture at Thistle Technologies?

Thistle Technologies values respect and work-life balance. Snyder ensures that employees have dedicated personal time and limits after-work communication. This approach has contributed to the company's success and sustainability.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Window Snyder shares her background in math and computer science and how it led her to the cybersecurity space.

• Thistle Technologies is focused on building security infrastructure for device makers, making it easy for them to incorporate robust security capabilities into their products.

• Snyder emphasizes the need for long-term security resilience in devices that have extended lifespans, such as cars, medical devices, and industrial equipment.