Plexal, the company solving society's challenges through collaboration with government, startups and industry, is reimagining accelerator programmes by leveraging the maturity of the cyber security ecosystem in a particularly challenging time for UK businesses, which needs the ingenuity of startups.  

Cyber-attacks are a continuing problem businesses face, as seen in the 2023 Cyber Security Breaches Survey. It found businesses suffering attacks are met with a £1,100 cost each on average, rising to £4,960 for medium and large companies. This shows the need for continued innovation and growth of the cyber security sector.

Cyber Runway’s Grow and Scale streams are designed to spur growth across the country and address regional gaps through delivery of in-region events and engaging with the DSIT-funded UK Cyber Cluster Collaboration (UKC3).  

• Grow: A programme for startups to nail their product-market fit, get commercialisation support, and lay the foundations for growth
• Scale: A programme helping scaleups and high-growth startups blast away any barriers to growth nationally and around the world

Grow and Scale applications are open to all startups and scaleups looking to reach the next level, make connections and address major challenges facing the UK’s cyber sector, with both programmes starting in September 2023.

Evolving Cyber Runway further to improve support for participants, Plexal is introducing an Innovation Forum, comprising a group of hand-picked CISOs. The Innovation Forum will allow startups to connect with leaders from the public and private sectors to help them develop solutions to emerging challenges and pivot into a new sector if needed. Sessions will be smaller, allowing members to benefit from more tailored advice and peer support.

Interested entrepreneurs and startups can apply on Plexal’s website and Plexal is also keen to hear from security leaders, investors and experienced founders who want to mentor entrepreneurs going through the next accelerator.

Saj Huq, CCO and Head of Innovation at Plexal, commented: “In light of evolving threats and the challenges faced by our critical national infrastructure, it’s important that we seek new opportunities to leverage emerging technologies. We’re excited to launch the application process of Cyber Runway’s Grow and Scale streams for companies looking to strengthen the UK’s digital economy and drive greater cyber resilience.”

The opening of Grow and Scale applications for Cyber Runway follows the recent closure of submissions for the other two accelerator streams, Launch and Ignite – cohorts for which are being selected currently.

• Launch: A bootcamp to help budding entrepreneurs, graduates and spinouts get their business off the ground and build connections
• Ignite: A programme for exceptional founders of cyber security startups to help them develop as leaders and scale their businesses