46-year-old former U.S. special forces officer is now a startup CEO—his cybersecurity company has raised $22 million

January 15, 2026

TL;DR

Gene Yu, 46, is the co-founder and CEO of cybersecurity startup Blackpanda, which has raised over $21 million.
His diverse background includes being a Division 1 tennis player, a West Point graduate, and a U.S. Army Special Forces "Green Beret."
Yu struggled with self-esteem issues growing up as an Asian American, internalizing societal messages of inferiority.
He joined West Point at 17, driven by a need to create a new identity and fueled by a demanding work ethic.
A crossroads in his military career arose when his uncle, Ma Ying-jeou, became president of Taiwan, prompting his departure from the army.
After leaving the military, Yu experienced a loss of identity and financial hardship, including being laid off from Palantir Technologies.
He orchestrated the rescue of a family friend, Evelyn Chang, from a 35-day hostage situation with Abu Sayyaf in 2013.
This rescue mission inspired the creation of Blackpanda, aiming to provide 24/7 support for cyberattacks similar to crisis services in physical security.
Yu reflects that tying identity to accomplishments is a "rigged game" and emphasizes the importance of healing original trauma.
His intense work ethic was shaped by his time at West Point, where he studied and trained rigorously.

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