Startup story: TrustOps X Cyber Accelerator

Each year, dozens of high-potential startups develop their product or service in Tehnopol Startup Incubator’s main program and special accelerators. One of the startups currently building their solution in the Cyber Accelerator is TrustOps.

TrustOps is building the first evidence-driven attestation platform for software and AI systems, enabling continuous, cryptographically verifiable guarantees of integrity, provenance, and compliance. The company was founded by Fernando Castillo (PhD candidate in Computer Science with 10+ years in tech startups) and Eduardo Brito (PhD candidate and cybersecurity researcher). Their combined experience spans across applied cryptography, distributed systems, and real-world system engineering.

How did you come up with the idea to create a startup?

“The idea emerged from work in software supply chain security, where we observed that current systems rely on implicit trust rather than verifiable guarantees. With increasing attacks and regulatory pressure, this model is breaking down. TrustOps was created to replace assumed trust with continuous, evidence-based assurance.”

What have been the biggest challenges/failures and the biggest wins so far?

“A key challenge has been translating a technically deep paradigm shift, moving from trust-based to evidence-based systems, into something immediately understandable for customers. At the same time, a major win has been early validation from industry and institutional actors, confirming the need for continuous compliance and verifiable infrastructure.”

What sets your startup apart from competitors?

“Most solutions today are fragmented (scanning tools) or still rely on trust-based models. TrustOps introduces continuous enforcement with cryptographic verifiability, turning trust into something measurable and auditable by design. This positions us as a foundational layer rather than a point solution.”

Why did you apply to the Cyber Accelerator?

“We applied to the Cyber Accelerator to refine our product in one of the most advanced cybersecurity ecosystems globally. Estonia offers a unique environment to test trust infrastructure in real-world, high-assurance settings. It also enables direct engagement with institutions shaping future digital trust models.”

Where do you see your startup in 1 year? And where in 5 years?

“In one year, we aim to deploy full-scale pilot implementations with key partners, demonstrating continuous compliance and automated attestations in production environments. In five years, we see TrustOps as core infrastructure for software and AI assurance, supporting critical sectors such as finance, health, and defense. The goal is to become a standard layer for “trust by design” in digital systems.”

Who is the next (Estonian) unicorn?

“The next unicorn will likely emerge at the intersection of AI, cybersecurity, and digital infrastructure. Estonia has a strong track record in foundational technologies, particularly around trust and identity. Companies building infrastructure for trustworthy digital systems are strong candidates.”

Which books/podcasts/publications and influencers do you recommend?

“We recommend following work at the intersection of cybersecurity, AI, and digital governance. Some of the most interesting European sources include publications from ENISA and research from CSET.
For books, The Code Book by Simon Singh and This Is How They Tell Me the World Ends by Nicole Perlroth provide strong grounding in cryptography and the modern threat landscape.”

Applications for the Cyber Accelerator are now open! The Cyber Accelerator is a programme for teams working in cybersecurity, helping you turn your idea into a functional product – with top-level mentoring and up to €60,000 in funding. Read more and apply here.