National Cyber Force launches startup programme in the North West

The National Cyber Force (NCF) has launched a new programme for technology startup companies in Lancashire and the wider North West.

The NCF is a defence and intelligence partnership conducting cyber operations to counter threats to the UK.

The NCF will establish its future headquarters in Samlesbury, Lancashire later this year.

The NCF’s new NW Cyber Accelerate programme is delivered with support from His Majesty’s Government Communications Centre (HMGCC)’s Accelerate initiative.

It forms part of NCF’s commitment to strengthening the UK’s cyber capabilities and fostering innovation in the region.

This intensive, 10-week programme is designed to help startups with relevant technologies progress towards a minimum viable product (MVP) and refine go-to-market strategies for potential future collaboration with UK national security organisations.

The programme is based around the challenge of helping operators and analysts understand and interpret large and complex datasets.

The technologies include:

• capabilities to identify connections between disparate pieces of data in very large, rapidly changing datasets
• application of AI to the processing of data to enable analysis that would be impossible to do manually and to provide novel ways of interacting with data
• understanding the interface between behaviour and AI to inform the design of analytical systems.

Academic collaboration is also a key focus for the programme, with startups forming partnerships to access to CyberFocus - a £5m EPSRC-funded initiative led by seven North West universities that fosters research-led partnerships to strengthen national prosperity and protection.

CyberFocus has led a dedicated call for academics to engage with the companies selected for the accelerator.

Additionally, a CyberFocus team will support the activities of the accelerator to develop deeper insights in the participant companies on how to work with academia and use their expertise.

Four startups have been selected to join the NW Cyber Accelerate programme, with activities to be delivered across Lancaster, Manchester and Preston. 

Participants will benefit from:

• Expert mentorship
• Tailored product development support from HMGCC and NCF challenge owners and engineering specialists
• Operational scaling guidance
• Founder support and resilience training
• Access to co-working spaces

NCF Commander Air Vice Marshal Tim Neal-Hopes initially announced the initiative at the Lancashire Cyber Festival in July this year.

Nick Miles, NCF’s deputy director for Samlesbury, pictured, said he was pleased to see the NW’s tech ecosystem embrace the opportunity of the accelerator programme.

He said: “NCF is delighted to be able to work with HMGCC Accelerate and CyberFocus on this accelerator programme.

"This will enable us to build new cross-sector collaborations in the run up to NCF’s move to Lancashire later this year.

“We are looking forward to becoming part of a thriving, regional cyber and security innovation ecosystem and the rapidly developing NW Cyber Corridor hub.

"Linking Lancashire with Manchester, the corridor proactively supports the government’s national priorities.

"This is both through its commitment to innovation and research and the partnerships it is building between government, academia and industry.”

James K from HMGCC, leads much of the organisation’s work with industry, and added: “We're excited about the opportunity to work with the NCF to support innovation and entrepreneurship in the North West.

"Both organisations recognise the opportunities that technology start-ups present to the national security community. 

"We want to use initiatives like these to build great networks that can contribute to UK growth and help to keep our country safe.”

Dan Prince, professor of cyber security at Lancaster University, and principal investigator of CyberFocus, said: “CyberFocus is thrilled to be working with the National Cyber Force and HMGCC Accelerate to supercharge innovation in the North West.

"With academic collaboration at the centre, the programme connects world-class researchers with new startups, combining entrepreneurial creativity with academic expertise to tackle urgent cyber challenges.

"Together we’re building the partnerships and momentum needed to strengthen resilience and lay the foundations to secure the UK's digital future.”

The programme will conclude in November, with participating startups showcasing their innovations to a range of cross-sector stakeholders at a dedicated event.