Thomas Gilheany
Founder
Hippocampus Advisors
About Thomas Gilheany
Startup board advisor and fractional product/security leader enabling AI & cybersecurity startups to innovate confidently, scale securely, and grow with clarity. I blend deep cybersecurity expertise, product management leadership, and emerging-tech insight to help founders reduce avoidable risk, accelerate time-to-market, and build high-trust, high-impact companies. I help founders, boards, and executive teams turn emerging tech into secure, scalable, customer-ready products. My career sits at the intersection of INNOVATION, CYBERSECURITY, and GROWTH – three pillars that shape how modern AI and cybersecurity startups compete and win. Across 30+ years in cybersecurity and emerging tech, I’ve launched over 50 global products, guided dozens of innovation initiatives, and supported hypergrowth environments from early-stage startups to major enterprises. My background spans product management, technical product marketing, IT/operations leadership, cybersecurity research, and board advisory work.
INNOVATION
I’ve led teams advancing next-generation cybersecurity capabilities, including AI-driven analysis tools, post-quantum cryptography risk modeling, and new patented security architectures. While running the Cybersecurity Innovation Accelerator team at Wells Fargo, I drove IP portfolio-expanding invention activity, built AI-powered market-intelligence systems, and partnered with startups, investment groups, and R&D leaders to evaluate emerging tech opportunities. I thrive in ambiguity – turning early market signals into strategy, architecture, and product direction.
CYBERSECURITY
As a CISSP and Fractional CISO, I help startups reduce risk before it becomes technical debt. My experience ranges from designing secure architectures and leading security services for global enterprises, to hands-on assessments, red-team work, and secure-product design. I bridge engineering, product, and business teams – aligning security requirements with customer expectations and go-to-market realities.
GROWTH
I’ve scaled product portfolios, doubled customer adoption in critical markets, and guided organizations through M&A, new market creation, and high-velocity operational scaling. My board and advisory work centers on strengthening strategy, sharpening positioning, and ensuring founders make deliberate, informed decisions that improve valuation and investment readiness. Whether advising a board, acting as a fractional CPO, or serving as a CISO for an AI-driven startup, I help organizations innovate confidently, secure intelligently, and grow intentionally.
