Cyber Startups Selected for GCHQ Accelerator

Seven startups in the UK, all focusing on cyber security threats and other cyber issues, have been chosen for a new accelerator led by the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ).

The startups on the shortlist include Verimuchme, StatusToday, Spherical Defence, FutureScaper, Cyberowl, and CounterCraft.

The government is funding the Cyber Accelerator, a programme that will see intelligence agencies work with startups on developing technologies to improve online security.

The accelerator falls under the new Government-led Cheltenham Cyber Innovation Centre and plans to develop new and improved cyber security systems with the potential to add to the UK’s £22bn cyber security industry – one that contributes around £2bn in exports coming in to the country per year.

The scheme is a joint venture between the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), GCHQ and Wayra UK, the latter of which comes under the Telefónica Open Future_ network.

Over the programme’s three months, the businesses will receive assistance in scaling several operational aspects. Should the programme succeed and the startups take off, we could see various cyber security jobsites offering a host of new IT security jobs, such as security engineer jobs.

Matt Hancock MP, Minister of State for Digital and Culture, congratulated all businesses selected as part of the accelerator. He added:

“This is an important step in delivering our National Cyber Security Strategy and supported by £1.9bn transformative investment in cyber security.

“Based in Cheltenham, the accelerator will help UK entrepreneurs create cutting-edge technology to better protect the nation from cyber attacks and make going online safer for all.”