The MMA ring for cybersecurity: inside Hackerverse's product showdowns

Guest: Mariana Padilla, Founder & CEO of Hackerverse.ai

Summary: Mariana shares how Hackerverse is turning cybersecurity sales into hands-on, testable experiences for buyers. From "World Hacker Games" to instant, AI-generated product demos, Mariana explains how she and her team are slashing POC timelines, building trust through transparency, and creating a community-led growth engine in an industry known for skepticism. She also talks about her unique journey, advice for startup founders, and the looming risks of agentic AI warfare.

Key Takeaways

Storytelling is critical in technical sales: “Words are our code.”Buyers can test software in digital replicas of their own systems—no sales call needed.Red team “World Hacker Games” offer real-time validation of cybersecurity products.Using generative and agentic AI, Hackerverse can launch vendor POCs in hours.Community-building through Discord, immersive branding, and real relationships is core to Hackerverse’s success.

Frameworks & Models

Digital POC Framework: Self-service product trials in simulated environments.Community-Led Growth: Build rabid fans through radical transparency and engaging experiences.Beginner’s Mindset: Embrace naivety as a strength when entering technical industries.

Resources

Hackerverse.aiMariana’s LinkedInTechstars Chicago AIOWASP FoundationLydia – Deepfake DetectionBook: Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind by Shunryu Suzuki

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