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More efforts to nurture UK cyber security startups as Digital Catapult gets £1.1m funding

Innovation network Digital Catapult has announced plans to deliver a new business advice and mentoring programme for UK cyber security startups following a £1.1m funding award from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).

The funding, which comes as part of the Government’s £1.9bn National Cyber Security Strategy, will support the delivery of Cyber 101 alongside a consortium of industry partners and experts.

Delivered by Digital Catapult, the project will be supported by partners including The Accelerator Network, the Centre for Secure Information Technologies and The VTC Group, who will be providing their expertise in cyber business development.

Following confirmation of the funding, Minister of State for Digital and Culture Matt Hancock said: “We’re determined to make sure the UK remains a world-leading digital economy, the best place for innovative firms to start up and scale up, and that we are the safest place to live and do business online.

“This funding, delivered by the Digital Catapult consortium, and working alongside the new National Cyber Security Centre, will play a vital role in delivering those aims.”

The project comes as the government prioritises support for the UK’s cyber security industry, amidst a heightened threat from independent and state actors who are employing increasingly complex techniques and methods.

Two new cyber security-focused accelerator programmes were announced in September last year as part of a £50m project to support early-stage businesses develop and commercialise their innovations in cooperation with GCHQ.

This latest effort will see two pilot programmes carried out in Northern Ireland London between February and March before the four year initiative is scaled across the country, with startups across the UK benefitting training and support.

Dr Jeremy Silver, who is Chief Executive Officer at Digital Catapult described cyber security as a ‘tier one threat’ to the UK with a rapidly evolving threat landscape.

He added: “The Government is committed to supporting the UK’s ability to defend itself from cyber-attack and take action against cybercriminals.

“A significant part of this comes down to removing barriers to growth and supporting innovation in this space, in turn helping foster leading cyber security companies in UK. The Cyber 101 programme is specifically designed to help achieve these aims.”