Ollie Bone, February 6, 2019 2 min read
We’re very excited to announce the call for applications for Tech Nation Cyber, the UK’s first national cyber security growth programme. If you’re an ambitious cyber security startup ready to take your business to the next level, this is the programme for you. Tech Nation Cyber is the UK’s first national scaleup programme designed specifically with the needs of the cyber security sector in mind, and we’re looking for our first cohort of innovative cyber companies, based right across the UK.
Our second sector-specific programme, is built on the learnings of Tech Nation Fintech launched in September, as well as our other established growth programmes like Future Fifty, Upscale and Founders’ Network. Our goal? To boost the UK cyber sector, accelerate the growth of its top companies, and build a robust, cross-industry network.
Kicking off in April, the six-month, non-residential programme is free to join, and doesn’t require an equity stake in your business. The agenda will include:
Tech Nation Cyber is aimed at company founders and leadership teams, with activities and sessions geared specifically towards particular roles and functions. It’s a carefully curated programme, and insight sessions – covering everything from investment options to international expansion – will be delivered by some of the most established cyber security experts and scale coaches in the UK.
Mike Kennedy from Downing Capital said: “Most startups’ wish-lists look the same: customers, talent, capital and in that order. For cyber security companies these have been typically harder to acquire, but the importance of the growth of this sector to the UK means things must change. Thankfully, now they are!”
To apply for the programme, your business must have:
It’s an incredibly exciting time for the cyber security market. Nearly 30 million cyber attacks were carried out in the UK in Q4 2018, according to cyber security and anti-virus provider Kaspersky Lab, meaning the demand for increasingly innovative solutions is high. Investors have recognised the sector’s potential too. Figures from VC firm Strategic Cyber Ventures show that global VC funding for the sector reached $5.3bn last year, nearly double that of 2016.
Seb Wallace from Triple Point said: “As interpersonal and inter-device connectivity grows, the global economy increasingly relies on its heightened connection to function. Against this backdrop, the cyber security sector has never been more important. It is becoming a backbone of the 21st century. Together with Tech Nation, we want to see the UK lead in this area as we move into the next decade.”
With so much opportunity ahead, Tech Nation Cyber will equip companies with the skills, knowledge and connections they need to accelerate their growth.
Applications are open now until 4 March 2019, and successful applicants will be notified in early April.
