Cyber innovators help protect UK connected places

2 Feb 2021 12:00 PM

The latest NCSC Cyber Accelerator cohort has been announced.

A red arrow navigating it's way through a maze

Tech entrepreneurs are receiving support from the UK’s top cyber security experts to help protect the country’s connected places of the future.

Thanks to their innovative ideas the start-ups have gained a place on the acclaimed Cyber Accelerator programme, a joint initiative between the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) – a part of GCHQ - and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).

Cyber Accelerator provides companies with the support and expertise to develop their products, which in the latest round are all designed to protect the interconnected systems that connected places – also known as smart cities – depend on to function efficiently.

The products include software to help organisations with incident response, and systems that monitor and flag real-time threats. They have the potential to benefit not only the UK but countries around the world.

Since the Accelerator programme began 40 companies have been successfully mentored by the scheme, raising more than £90m in funding. The latest start-ups will be the seventh group to benefit from the programme, and for the first time will be a mixture of new companies and Accelerator alumni, whose expertise lie in securing critical assets.

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

“Connected places have huge potential to benefit society, and it’s great to see these companies come forward with such innovative security ideas.

“The Cyber Accelerator programme will provide excellent support in helping them reach the next level, as it has done with numerous start-ups in the past.

“We look forward to working with these and other pioneering companies in future to address the UK’s evolving cyber security challenges.”

The ten-week scheme, which is to be held entirely virtually, 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.

Matt Warman, Minister for Digital Infrastructure, yesterday said:

"The UK cyber security industry is booming and will play a key role as cutting-edge technology transforms economies across the globe.

"The Cyber Accelerator is a fantastic scheme that enables innovators to develop their businesses and reach their full potential. The government is committed to supporting tech companies of all sizes to grow so together we can build back better from the pandemic."

This is the seventh 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 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.

The 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 companies in this cohort of the programme are:

For further information on applications visit the Cyber Accelerator webpage or the Wayra website.