About
Dan Cornell is a cybersecurity entrepreneur and application security expert best known for co-founding Denim Group in 2001, an application security consulting and software firm that he scaled over two decades before selling to Coalfire in 2021.
Dan worked with Southwest Research Institute and served as CTO of BrandDefense before co-founding Denim Group with Sheridan Chambers and John Dickson in San Antonio. As CTO and Principal, he created ThreadFix, the industry leading application vulnerability management platform, and pioneered Hybrid Analysis Mapping technology through a Department of Homeland Security contract. The company earned three technology patents, served Fortune 500 companies and government organizations, and grew to over 100 employees before the acquisition. Following the 2021 sale, Dan served as Vice President of Product Strategy and later CISO Advisor at Coalfire.
Today, he works as an investor, advisor, and board member, helping cybersecurity and DevSecOps companies navigate growth and exit strategies.
"I help founders understand what makes their company truly valuable to potential acquirers and how to position their capabilities as mission critical to the buyer's vision. Knowing what the acquirer needs and demonstrating that fit early is what drives successful exits."
Schedule a call with an Exitwise advisor to learn more about engaging Dan to Maximize Your Exit™.
Previous Exits
Denim Group sold to Coalfire
Valuation: Undisclosed
In June 2021, Coalfire acquired Denim Group to advance its application security and DevSecOps capabilities. The acquisition brought Denim Group's ThreadFix vulnerability management platform and application security consulting services into Coalfire's cybersecurity portfolio. Following the sale, Dan transitioned to Vice President of Product Strategy at Coalfire.
Atension sold to Rare Medium
Valuation: Undisclosed (Acquired 1999)
Atension, a custom eCommerce software development firm co-founded by Dan Cornell, was acquired by the digital agency Rare Medium (NASDAQ: RRRR) in 1999. The transaction provided Rare Medium with specialized software engineering talent and technical infrastructure during the initial rapid expansion of the internet economy. This foundational exit represented the successful scale and sale of a boutique technology services firm to a major public entity at the height of the early dot com era.
ThreadStrong (Asset Sale) sold to Veracode
Valuation: Undisclosed (Acquired 2015)
ThreadStrong, a secure coding eLearning product developed within Denim Group, was acquired by Veracode in a strategic asset sale in 2015. This transaction allowed Veracode to integrate specialized, developer centric security training into its broader application security platform.
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