WIREDGOV

The NCSC welcomes 6 new start-up companies onto the Cyber Accelerator programme.

• Six UK tech start-ups offering cyber security solutions of the future begin Cyber Accelerator programme
• Ten-week programme from the NCSC and DCMS helps companies meet UK’s future cyber security challenges
• Companies will benefit from expert technical advice and opportunity to pitch idea to investors

A GROUP of tech entrepreneurs offering innovative cyber security solutions have embarked on a ten-week programme to help launch their products.

The six companies have successfully gained a place on the acclaimed Cyber Accelerator programme, a joint initiative between the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and the Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) which supports organisations in getting their products on the market.

Since it began 30 companies have been successfully mentored by the scheme, and the products being developed by this year’s cohort offer security solutions for groups ranging from SMEs to families.

Chris Ensor, NCSC Deputy Director for Growth, yesterday said:

“The Cyber Accelerator programme has been a great success, and previous companies involved have brought new ideas to the market.

“The aim of the programme is to support those with pioneering ideas which in turn, encourages jobs and market growth.

“Together we believe we can provide new and novel solutions to the UK’s cyber security challenges.”

The ten-week scheme, based in Cheltenham, enables tech entrepreneurs to play their part in helping make the UK a safer place to live and work online, as well as encouraging skills and jobs to boost the country’s economic growth.

This is the fifth cohort of the Cyber Accelerator programme, which is part of the UK Government’s £1.9billion National Cyber Security Strategy. Those companies participating benefit from the technical expertise of the NCSC - which is part of GCHQ - and will be given the chance to pitch their ideas to potential clients and investors.

The scheme is being delivered with Wayra, Telefónica’s open innovation arm supporting enterprises creating new products for the UK’s security industry.

Cyber Accelerator gives extraordinary opportunities for those enterprises involved. Last February seven companies took part in the RSA conference on cyber security in California’s Silicon Valley. They were invited to a private coaching session at the ranch home of Steve Blank, the originator of the Lean-Start-Up movement.

The selected start-ups receive benefits to help them scale all aspects of their businesses, including funding, office space, and contact with an extensive investor network. The last rounds of the programme have between them raised £35m in private funding for tech projects.

The six companies in this cohort of the programme are:

• Naq Cyber, a service to keep small businesses protected from cyber attacks, and helping them conform to legal regulations such as GDPR.
• Insurtechnix, provides a programme to keep SMEs protected from cyber attacks.
• Angoka offers cyber security solutions for the risks inherent in machine-to-machine communications, such as those used in smart homes and vehicles.
• Simple Cyber Life has designed a subscription service to keep families safe online, from grandparents to children.
• IDEE, a service which offers a unique solution to keeping its customers digital identity secure.
• RapidSpike offers a service to ensure the safety and smooth running of customers’ digital platforms.

For further information on applications:

www.ncsc.gov.uk/information/cyber-accelerator
www.wayra.uk/programs/ncsc-cyber-accelerator