Applications open for cyber security startups to join new nine-month programme

• Programme will be an integral part of developing UK cyber security capability
• UK cyber security sector is now worth more than £22bn

A groundbreaking initiative bringing together GCHQ and industry expertise to develop new cyber security technology is to be extended.

Cutting-edge cyber security entrepreneurs and start-up firms are now being invited to apply to join the second programme in the GCHQ Cyber Accelerator which will be extended from three to nine months.

The expanded programme will give start-ups more time with the world-class personnel and technological expertise of staff from across GCHQ, including the National Cyber Security Centre, enabling them to expand their capability, improve their ideas, and devise cutting-edge products.

The programme will be delivered by Wayra UK, part of Telefónica, and the selected startups will receive benefits to help them scale all aspects of their businesses, including office space, mentoring and contact with an extensive investor network.

The facility will specifically help new firms turn their ideas into commercial products and services and contribute to the booming UK cyber security sector which grew from £17.6 billion in 2014 to almost £22 billion in 2015.

The accelerator programme is a collaboration between the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), GCHQ, the NCSC, and Wayra UK.

The accelerator is an important element of the Cheltenham Innovation Centre and a key commitment in the Government’s five-year, £1.9 billion National Cyber Security Strategy which aims to defend the UK in cyberspace, deter our adversaries and develop our cyber security skills and capabilities. DCMS is also planning to launch a second innovation centre – in London – at the end of the year.

The facility brings together experts in this field from government, academia and industry, and is a partnership which is vital to achieving the government’s aim of making the UK the best place to start and grow a modern digital business.

Earlier this year, seven start-ups graduated from the accelerator’s first programme and to date they have collectively raised more than £2.7m in investment, including follow-on contracts with major companies such as Cisco.

The firms which took part were CounterCraft, CyberOwl, CyberSmart, Elemendar, Spherical Defence, StatusToday and Verimuchme.

You can apply at https://wayra.co.uk/gchq/#gchq_form