From no tech background to leading a cybersecurity startup — Ankita Dhakar is reshaping how NZ does pentesting.

What happens when you have no tech background, no network, and still decide to start a cybersecurity company? Ankita Dhakar did exactly that — and today she’s the founder and CEO of Capture The Bug, helping listed companies rethink penetration testing.

In this episode of Tech Waka, Ankita shares her journey from moving to NZ as a student to building a platform-first pentesting company. We talk about what it’s like being an immigrant woman in a male-dominated industry, how she built credibility without a technical background, and what traditional vendors get wrong about security.

We also unpack:

• How she managed mental health in the lonely early days

• What makes Capture The Bug’s approach different (and more useful)

• Why community, kindness, and consistency are her biggest assets

Whether you’re a founder, leader, or security professional — this conversation offers insights and inspiration in equal measure.

This episode is sponsored by Wired Uncrossed.