The UK government has launched a new scheme to help cyber start-ups, small businesses and scaleups launch and grow their businesses. Cyber Runway will see entrepreneurs and businesses get access to business masterclasses, mentoring, product development support, networking events and backing to trade internationally and secure investment so they can turn their ideas into commercial successes.
The new programme – funded by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and delivered by Plexal in partnership with CyLon, Deloitte and The Centre for Secure Information Technologies (CSIT) – aims to support at least 160 organisations and companies over the course of six months.
“Covid-19 has catalysed the need for effective cyber security across industries, and a record level of capital is being invested into the sector,” stated Saj Huq, director of innovation at Plexal. “But there is still a need for support for businesses at the earliest stages of their development and innovators and entrepreneurs from underrepresented communities still face barriers when entering the ecosystem. These are challenges we look forward to addressing with Cyber Runway by supporting the best innovators, regardless of their background or geography, to thrive and grow.”
“The UK’s cyber security ecosystem is at a critical and exciting point in its development, with both new challenges and new opportunities having arisen out of the pandemic,” added Nick Morris, CEO at CyLon. “Through its Launch, Grow and Scale streams, we believe Cyber Runway will be able to help a diverse range of entrepreneurs, start-ups and scaleups capitalise on this. Cyber Runway will support UK innovators to develop the crucial security technologies that will safeguard the future of our digital economy. We are very pleased to be a part of this initiative alongside DCMS and our fantastic partners Plexal, CSIT and Deloitte.”
“CSIT has a strong reputation for providing support to cyber start-ups through their various growth stages,” noted Louise Cushnahan, head of innovation at CSIT. “We are delighted to bring our expertise to Cyber Runway to collaborate with cyber companies and entrepreneurs bringing innovative cyber solutions to market.”
Cyber Runway follows a number of other DCMS-funded cyber programmes which have now completed. These include HutZero, Cyber 101 and Tech Nation’s cyber accelerator for scaleups.
Cyber Runway is looking for expressions of interest from potential applicants, mentors and investors.
