Plexal alongside Barclays Eagle Labs, Lancaster University, University of Manchester and Manchester City Council is operating an 11,000 square foot Digital Security Hub (DiSH) workspace in Manchester, which has a target of supporting 500 startups and creating over 1,000 jobs in Greater Manchester.

This is in keeping with Plexal’s mission of closing the gap – between public and private sectors, between startups and corporates, between local and global – to work towards a common goal: using technology to improve national security and deliver prosperity.

Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, says: “There is a real opportunity now for Manchester to become a centre of excellence in developing new products to help safeguard both the public sector and businesses of all sizes. This will help drive economic growth and job creation in this fast-growing area which is emerging as one of Manchester’s distinctive strengths. The fact that we are emerging from the economic shock of a pandemic makes the Digital Innovation Security Hub all the more important.”

As part of the programme, companies will receive the following benefits:

• Free workspace at DiSH Manchester during programme days
• Tailored business masterclasses designed to help you lay solid foundations for your business, strengthening digital, cyber and operational strategies
• 1:1 mentoring from business growth and cyber resilience experts
• Coaching to help refine your sales and investment pitch
• Investment readiness and potential funding support
• Facilitated industry introductions
• Industry events
• Access to perks including: 
  • Azzure credits
  • Founders Card – Complimentary six-month trial
  • Discounts for products and services including: Hubspot, Seedlegals, Monday.com and Dell products