New contract win for Martha Daniels’ IMRI

Security Focus, Societal Gains

Martha Daniel, founder of tech firm Cytellix and its parent IMRI, saw revenue at her Aliso Viejo-based tech security-related service companies fall about $6 million to around $10 million in 2020. Thanks in part to a new contract, she’s bullish that it can rebound to $18.5 million this year.

She’s been raising capital for the Cytellix division, where business has been growing due to increased threats to computer networks.

“Right now, we are excited about the growth of Cytellix,” she said.

Daniel’s tech career started in 1970 with computer science studies in junior college, followed by a Bachelor of Science degree in computer information systems from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, and an MBA from the University of La Verne.

She also served as a cryptologist in the U.S. Navy, and later counted a successful corporate career, including roles as chief information officer at FDIC/Resolution Trust

Corp. and senior systems engineer at IBM. In March, Daniel discussed the challenges of being a Black woman in the maledominated world of technology.

“Being a Black female, coupled with the doubts when I walked into the room, I was challenged many times,” Daniel told the Business Journal.

“But I was never intimidated because my military background prepared me for that level, because women were always in the minority there.”

“I was told that I would not be able to be successful in Orange County as an African-American business, a Black-owned business,” she said. “Obviously that was not a true statement.”

Looking ahead, she is optimistic as she sees more Black-owned businesses opening up locally.

“We will see the next generation of Blacks and African Americans venturing more into entrepreneurship,” she said. “I even hear some of my grandkids saying ‘I want to have my own business.’ To me, even just hearing that being said is nice.”