CrowdStrike CTO departs to launch $170M AI-cyber fund

Elia Zaitsev, the Global Chief Technology Officer at CrowdStrike, is stepping down from the cybersecurity giant to launch a $170 million fund focused on AI-driven cybersecurity. His last day at CrowdStrike is set for August 20, 2026, closing out a tenure that stretches back more than 13 years with the company. From builder to backer Zaitsev took over the CTO role at CrowdStrike in February 2023, though his history with the company runs far deeper. Over 13 years, he played a central role in shaping the firm’s technology strategy, with a particular emphasis on integrating artificial intelligence into security operations. In a LinkedIn post announcing his departure, Zaitsev framed the move as deeply personal. He described the transition as the start of something he could truly call his own, a shift from steering someone else’s ship to building one from scratch. The fund he plans to launch is valued at $170 million. Details about its limited partners, investment thesis, or specific focus areas within the AI-cybersecurity landscape haven’t been made public yet. A pattern at CrowdStrike Zaitsev isn’t the first senior leader to leave CrowdStrike and pursue something independent. Co-founde...