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GCHQ is hunting for more cybersecurity startups to join its expanded accelerator

Hot on the heels of their first-ever cyber security accelerator earlier this year, GCHQ and Wayra have put out another call for startups and entrepreneurs to take part in their latest, expanded programme.

The GCHQ Cyber Accelerator, which will be based out of the government’s shiny new Cheltenham Innovation Centre, kicks off in October and the spy agency is inviting companies whose work and expertise could help to unlock the latest cybersecurity innovations to apply.

Now expanded from three months to nine, the programme is a collaboration between the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), GCHQ, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), and Wayra UK, and will give the successful entrepreneurs and startups access world-class personnel and technological expertise from across GCHQ and the NCSC.

Ultimately, the aim is to nurture, develop and commercialise the most promising products and services, to contribute to the UK’s booming cyber security industry which at last count was worth more than £22bn.

Minister for Digital Matt Hancock said that government and industry was ‘working hard’ to make the UK both the most fertile place to start a business and the ‘safest place to be online’, two aims which the new programme attempts to strengthen.

He said: “The GCHQ Cyber Accelerator is a vital part of this work and has already helped some of the most innovative cyber security startups develop cutting-edge new products and services.

“I’m pleased to announce the programme is being extended and encourage the nation’s talented entrepreneurs to apply.”

Seven startups graduated from the initial programme back in March, with CounterCraft, CyberOwl, CyberSmart, Elemendar, Spherical Defence, StatusToday and Verimuchme, all benefitting from either follow on contracts or new commercial and industry connections thanks to the programme.

In significantly expanding the accelerator, GCHQ and its partner organisations are hoping that the successful startups will be afforded more room to grow and develop their innovations, and more readily soak in the expertise of the experts around them.

As before, Wayra UK will be providing the startups with access to office space, mentoring and its investor network. Wayra UK Director, Gary Stewart voiced his belief that improvements to cyber security are one of the foremost challenges of modern times.

He commented: “Improving cyber security is one of the most important challenges that we face, whether as large corporates, SMEs or individual citizens.

“We are eager to accelerate the growth of the next generation of cybersecurity startups, in partnership with GCHQ, DCMS and our colleagues at Telefónica. The goal is that the start-ups will scale up and we will all be more secure online.”