NCSC for Startups
We're inviting the UK’s technology innovators to develop solutions to our most pressing security challenges with Plexal, the NCSC and our partners. Apply now.
NCSC for Startups will help innovators develop products and technology with the government to solve challenges that are mission-critical to society and our economy.
The opportunity is a collaboration between the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and Plexal.
Plexal is designing the programme with the NCSC and we’ll work with startups to help them develop their solutions, adapt their current technology to a new cyber challenge and pilot solutions.
We’ll be supported by our partners Deloitte, CyNam, which brings Cheltenham’s cyber community together, Cheltenham-based coworking space Hub8 and skills organisation QA.
WHY APPLY
Build solutions with the NCSC and Plexal
You’ll get advice and expert-delivered workshops to help you refine, test and prove your solution.
Business support
A community of mentors and business leaders are on hand to support you. From marketing to commercialisation strategy, you’ll have 1:1 support throughout.
Pilot your technology
Startups will get the chance to see how their solution can be applied in the real world.
Chosen startups will work on pilots with our industry and government partners.
Funding
Each startup can apply for funding to work on specific projects.
Community and events
Startups will be connected to a UK-wide ecosystem of startups, investors, security experts, business leaders and policymakers.
Keep your IP
The NCSC, Plexal and our partners won’t take any equity or IP from startups. It’s yours to keep.
PROVE. PIVOT. PILOT.
NCSC for Startups will be split into three streams:
PROVE
Startups will receive support to develop their early-stage solutions or prove a new concept that can solve a challenge.
PIVOT
Startups will receive support to adapt an existing technology or product to solve a challenge or create an entirely new solution.
PILOT
Later-stage cybersecurity startups will receive support to pilot solutions in a real-world setting and iterate the solution together with the NCSC and Plexal.
OUR CRITERIA
NCSC for Startups is open to startups at all stages, from pre Series A and beyond.
And you don’t have to call yourself a cybersecurity company to get involved.
We’re inviting any startup with technology-led solutions that meet our challenge areas to apply.
We’ll work with you to adapt it to a new challenge related to cybersecurity.
GET IN TOUCH
James Lamb and Robert Kearney from our cyber innovation team are here if you have any questions about NCSC for Startups or your application
THE PLEXAL TAKE
“NCSC for Startups is a unique opportunity for innovative startups to explore new concepts and collaborate with the UK government, Plexal and a broad spectrum of industry and academic partners to develop, iterate and pilot solutions that the UK needs the most.”
– Saj Huq, director of innovation, Plexal
GET INVOLVED WITH PLEXAL’S CYBER ECOSYSTEM
We’re building the UK’s most connected cybersecurity ecosystem.
Our cyber innovation team delivers LORCA: an innovation programme that’s supported 72 companies from five cohorts. Members have raised over £200m in investment, generated over £37m in revenue and won more than 1,200 contracts.
We also work directly with industry and the government to connect them with innovators and build solutions to their security challenges. Our community includes security leaders, cyber startups, policymakers, investors and enterprises across the UK and around the world.
Get involved by becoming a member, joining our investor network or bringing your challenge to us.