The five cyber innovators selected for the NCSC for Startups programme, launched back in June, will showcase their ideas to address critical UK cyber security issues.
The chosen companies will receive direct support from Plexal’s cyber innovation team and leading experts from the NCSC and GCHQ.
Startups will also gain access to wider technical and commercial opportunities with Plexal’s industry partners across the UK’s cyber security ecosystem.
In addition, the participants will keep all intellectual property and equity created during the programme.
The successor to the NCSC Cyber Accelerator welcomes startups at all stages of maturity; from those developing a Minimum Viable Product (MVP), to those with established cyber security solutions looking to expand into new markets and pilot technology.
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“The UK has a thriving cyber security industry and I’m excited to get to work with our first five companies and bring their innovations to life,” said Chris Ensor, NCSC deputy director for cyber growth.
“Finding great ideas that can help protect all areas of society is a key part of our mission and we look forward to collaborating with more startups as the programme rolls on.”
Saj Huq, Director of Innovation at Plexal, commented: “We’re excited to welcome the first innovators to NCSC For Startups. The response to our call for applications has been phenomenal and we’re looking forward to bringing on more startups throughout 2021 in response to specific challenges and technology needs in the cyber security market.
“The NCSC understands the UK’s cyber security challenges better than anyone, and the opportunity for innovative startups to benefit from its world-class insight and expertise is unique.
“Combined with Plexal’s extensive track record in supporting startups to become market leaders, NCSC For Startups will help companies address some of the most challenging security problems facing the government, businesses and society now and in the future.”
Programme participants
The five companies selected for the NCSC for Startups programme are:
- Enclave – helping organisations effortlessly create Zero Trust overlay networks;
- Exalens – equipping SME manufacturers with an inexpensive threat detection service;
- Meterian – SaaS provider platform that builds a scalable and sustainable line of defence for apps that use open source software;
- PORGiESOFT – an EdTech startup using AI to develop cyber fraud detection for enterprise employees;
- Rebellion Defence – using AI to defend national security systems against threats like ransomware.
