# Steve Carter

> Steve Carter is the CEO and co-founder of Nucleus Security, a Florida cybersecurity company born from his experience building software and supporting vulnerability-management programs for U.S. federal agencies. After founding the government security consultancy Rampant Technologies, he helped turn a federal research contract into the first version of Nucleus, a platform designed to unify security findings and automate the work between discovering a vulnerability and fixing it.

- **Role:** CEO and Co-founder at Nucleus Security
- **Organizations:** Nucleus Security, Rampant Technologies, Florida State University, OWASP, IEEE, AFCEA
- **Education:** Master's degree in Computer Science, Florida State University
- **Known for:** Built the original version of the software that became Nucleus Security., Co-founded Rampant Technologies and Nucleus Security., Led Nucleus through Series B financings announced in 2022 and 2024 and a $20 million Series C in 2026.

## Career timeline

- **c. 2000s-2015** — Worked as a security engineer supporting U.S. federal agencies, with a focus on software development and improving vulnerability-management programs.
- **2015** — Co-founded Rampant Technologies with long-time colleague Mike Nixon to provide managed security and engineering services to government customers.
- **c. 2016** — Co-authored a proposal responding to a federal call for cybersecurity innovation; the team won a one-year R&D contract to build a vulnerability-management proof of concept.
- **2018** — The platform that became Nucleus Security launched with co-founders Scott Kuffer and Nick Fleming; Carter served as its original developer.
- **2019** — Began leading Nucleus Security as CEO and co-founder.
- **2022** — Nucleus announced a $20 million Series B and began the demanding FedRAMP authorization journey after federal sponsorship.
- **2024** — Nucleus announced a $43 million Series B financing, ranked No. 267 on the Inc. 5000, and reached No. 85 on the Deloitte Technology Fast 500, which reported 1,562% three-year growth.
- **2025** — Named a 2025 Security Business Innovator by SecurityInfoWatch's peer-nominated program.
- **2026** — Nucleus announced a $20 million Series C led by Delta-v Capital, with Arthur Ventures participating.

## Achievements

- Built the original version of the software that became Nucleus Security.
- Co-founded Rampant Technologies and Nucleus Security.
- Led Nucleus through Series B financings announced in 2022 and 2024 and a $20 million Series C in 2026.
- Led Nucleus as it reached No. 267 on the 2024 Inc. 5000.
- Led Nucleus as it reached No. 85 on the 2024 Deloitte Technology Fast 500, with reported three-year growth of 1,562%.
- Selected as a 2025 Security Business Innovator.
- Helped carry Nucleus from a federal proof of concept to a FedRAMP-authorized enterprise platform.

## Latest updates

- **2026-08** — Nucleus Security ranked No. 1084 on the Inc. 5000 and appeared on the list for a third consecutive year, with Carter continuing as CEO.
- **2026-06** — Nucleus was named to Inc.'s 2026 Best Workplaces list under Carter's leadership.
- **2026-02** — Carter announced Nucleus Security's $20 million Series C led by Delta-v Capital.
- **2025-07** — Carter was selected as a 2025 Security Business Innovator.

## Links

- Website: https://nucleussec.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevecarter1337/
- Twitter/X: https://x.com/nucleussec
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nucleussec
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nucleussec/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/steve-carter
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-08-25