Ernie Bio

Ernie Bio is a Managing Director at Forgepoint Capital, a Silicon Valley based venture capital firm with over $1 billion assets under management, focused on cybersecurity and infrastructure software – investing globally. He works with entrepreneurs to scale companies building innovative technologies that protect the digital future. Ernie currently sits on the boards of six Forgepoint portfolio companies: 1Kosmos, Bishop Fox, Huntress Labs, NowSecure, RAD Security and Synadia. Prior to Forgepoint, Ernie served as the Chief Operating Officer of the Defense Innovation Unit. In that capacity, he was responsible for executing the organization’s strategy to identify and adopt emerging commercial technologies to solve national security challenges. Ernie helped grow the organization from roughly 20 to 80 employees across 4 offices and oversaw the approval and execution of over $250 million in contracts across cybersecurity, AI/ML, autonomy and human systems. Prior to the Defense Innovation Unit, Ernie served as the Director of the U.S. Cyber Command Point of Partnership. Ernie’s team advised U.S. Cyber Command leadership on cybersecurity technologies emanating from both the east and west coasts, which led to the acquisition and deployment of several cybersecurity technologies within the U.S. Department of Defense. His private sector experience includes strategy consulting and various roles at early stage tech startups. Ernie began his career as an Air Force fighter pilot. Ernie is a visiting fellow at the National Security Institute at George Mason University, where he focuses on national security strategy and cybersecurity. Ernie holds a B.S. in cell & molecular biology from Loyola University and an MBA from the NYU Stern School of Business. When not in the office or playing with his kids, Ernie can be found surfing in the cold and kelpy Pacific Ocean.