Cyber Runway – Scale
Cyber Runway: Scale
Over six months, we’re providing our cohort members the connections, mentors, community and expert advice to help them turbocharge their startup’s growth.
The most recent cohort was announced on 28th September 2023, but if you have a question for us then check out our FAQs below or get in touch.
Cyber Runway: Scale is funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and delivered by Plexal with support from Deloitte and the Centre for Secure Information Technologies.
GET EXCITED.
This is some of what we’re covering on the programme:
- Leadership coaching
- Growth strategy
- Funding and investment
- Mental health and wellbeing
- International expansion
- Recruitment and culture
- Inclusion and diversity
- Marketing, PR and communications
- Sales
SCALE MAY BE FOR YOU IF YOU HAVE…
- a cyber company*
- big growth plans that we can help with!
You may be bootstrapped, seed-stage or Series A but you should have at least one customer and be revenue-generating.
Scale welcomes international companies but they must have a UK entity by the time the programme starts. In fact, companies like Liverton Security have used Cyber Runway as a landing pad to enter the UK market.
*By “cyber” we mean: any company that is looking at the availability, integrity, availability and security of information, the internet (including internet-connected spaces and devices), critical national infrastructure and communications. Companies battling disinformation, online harms, securing AI and safeguarding the availability of manufacturing are all cyber companies by this definition.
WE’VE STEPPED IT UP
One-to-one support: We’ll start with a cohort of 15 in 2024. From January – February, six members will be selected after an application process to receive even more support and 1:1 coaching.
Growth Plans: Covering everything from market segmentation to funding strategy, cohort members will graduate with a plan that’s been enhanced with expert advice and peer support.
Growth Groups: Members will work on shared challenges in smaller groups of five in virtual sessions led by an expert. The focus will be decided based on the cohort, but groups might cover sales and marketing or securing investment, for example.
In-person events: The programme starts with a Scale Residential session to fast track the companies’ growth plans with expert support. UK-wide events will alternate with online learning, which has been designed to provide a hybrid learning experience for scaleup founders. Founders will have the opportunity to apply for international missions to receive 1:1 coaching and support based on their individual business need.
International missions: Six members can apply for fully funded tickets to Slush 2024, as well as have the chance to take part in a second international mission to a country that’s strategically important.
WHY JOIN CYBER RUNWAY: SCALE
Investor pitches and industry introductions
Get in front of a global network of investors and industry. You’ll also receive feedback on your product-market fit from the CISOs and security leaders in Plexal’s Innovation Forum
Expert-led workshops
Take part in our workshops virtually, wherever you are. Our sessions are virtual and allow for smaller groups to interact, ask questions and support each other.
International showcase
We’ll give a select group of Scale cohort members the chance to join our Ignite cohort at an international event
Mentoring, peer support and 1:1 advice from successful tech founders
Learn from successful founders and experts from the ecosystem with our founders firesides and mentoring.
11 in-person events
Connect with the cyber ecosystem at our in-person events, which are held across the UK. This includes our mid-way event and graduation.
We have a travel fund for travel within the UK for one of these events.
Pitch practice
We’ll help you nail your pitch and story. Whether you’re speaking to investors, buyers or your team, we’ll help you tell your story and rally people around your mission.
Engineering support
The Centre for Secure Information Technologies can support your product development.
No cost, no equity and no IP
Cyber Runway is fully funded by the UK government and Plexal takes no equity or IP from you. We’re just here to help you scale.
Resource library and startup advice on demand
Tap into a treasure trove of expert-written resources and advice for cyber startups.
International network and global expansion
Link up with regional and global cyber hubs in Cheltenham, Manchester, New York, Tel Aviv, Sydney and more.
YOUR CHANCE TO ATTEND SLUSH 2024
We’re pleased to support our next cohort of startups as six members get the chance to be in front of VCs, propelled towards their fundraising and growth goals.
KEY DATES
14th May
Applications open
14th July
Applications close
August 2024 – February 2025
Programme runs
FAQs
What type of companies can apply?
Cyber Runway is open to all companies with a UK entity. We have a stream for companies at each stage, and we can direct you to either Launch, Grow, Scale or Ignite (our leadership programme).
I don’t know if I’m a cyber company. Can I apply?
Cyber Runway’s Grow and Scale streams will be open to any company that’s securing the future of communications.
Plexal’s definition of a cyber company is any company that’s looking at the availability, integrity, availability and security of information, the internet (including internet-connected spaces and devices), critical national infrastructure and communications.
Companies battling disinformation, online harms, securing AI and safeguarding the availability of manufacturing are all cyber companies by this definition.
How much time is involved?
Expect to spend 5-12 hours a month on our virtual content, which can be attended by one or more team members, it doesn’t have to be the founder.
Where is it based/delivered?
The core content is all virtual, and we also have at least 11 in-person events. We have a travel fund for travel within the UK for one of these events
What will it cost me?
There’s no cost to join and Plexal (and our partners) take no IP or equity in your business.
Find out more from previous Cyber Runway graduates
PROGRAMME PARTNERS
Join the cyber ecosystem
We’re building the UK’s most connected cyber ecosystem. Plexal has helped hundreds of the UKs most promising cyber startups and scaleups raise investment, grow globally and become industry giants.