Got a Cybersecurity Idea? Let’s Help You Build It
You’ve got the insight, we’ll help you build the business. We’ll match your idea with the team, expertise, and real-world validation it needs. With a monthly stipend, expert mentoring, and access to cyber testbeds, you’ll spend 12 months turning your vision into a venture that solves real problems,and stands up in the real world.
What we’re looking for
We’re looking for bold ideas that tackle real cybersecurity problems, from protecting critical infrastructure to reducing day-to-day risks. You might be a researcher, a professional with a pain-point, or someone who sees where the current tools fall short. If your idea has technical depth and real-world potential, we want to hear from you. You don’t need to have a full team or a startup plan. You just need a problem worth solving, and the drive to do something about it.
How we’ll help you
We’ll build a startup team around your idea, combining commercial acumen, tech development, customer insight, and expert mentoring. You’ll get a monthly stipend, workspace, and hands-on support from specialists, commercial advisors, and cyber mentors. You’ll also get access to our unique testbeds to stress-test your solution in real-world conditions. We work with industry to identify real challenges, so your venture starts with demand, not guesswork. The goal? A working solution with traction, ready to launch within 12 months.
Got an idea that can protect systems, people or data, let’s make it a reality.
Why build with us?
Market Validation
Shape your idea around real problems, users, and traction.
Financial Support
A monthly stipend so you can focus on building.
Build the Right Team
We bring the commercial, tech, and design talent you need.
Expert Mentoring
Guidance from industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and startup veterans.
Collaborative Workspace
Work side-by-side with your team in a vibrant startup hub.
Exclusive Access
Use immersive testbeds to trial your solution before launch.
Success Stories
CyberSight
CyberSight25 defines the sector’s most pressing cyber problems. By capturing insights from global cyber security experts, it creates the market pull for tomorrow’s startups and solutions.
CyberInvent PhD Academy
CyberInvent is our fully funded PhD Academy for future innovators who want to turn real-world cyber challenges into applied research and commercial impact. You’ll gain funded doctoral study, industry mentorship, and a pathway into our Venture Building Programme, so your research doesn’t sit on a shelf, it shapes the future
Applications for this year are now closed, but you can get in touch to express your interest and be notified when the next round opens.
Challenge Areas
Our programme tackles high-risk, high-value challenges that can’t wait. From smart infrastructure and connected vehicles to secure supply chains, OT protection, and AI-enabled defence. Each challenge area reflects real-world problems identified through national engagement, industry dialogue, and the NCSC Problem Book. We work closely with partners like Airbus, Thales, and CGI to shape these priorities, ensuring every venture addresses real demand and creates impact where it matters most.
Set us a challenge
We don’t just wait for great ideas. We work with industry, infrastructure leaders, and government to uncover critical problems worth solving. If your team is facing a challenge, whether it’s operational risk, tool gaps, or compliance pressure, submit a challenge. We can help shape it into a venture brief, find the right people to solve it, and commercialise it through our programme.
Founders Need Co-Founders
Not every founder starts with an idea, some start with initiative.
We’re looking for curious, energetic problem-solvers to join startup teams built around validated cyber ideas. You might bring commercial know-how, design skills, technical depth, or just a determination to make things work. We’ll pair you with researchers and domain experts, and give you the tools to build something real.
You’ll also receive a £1,750 monthly stipend, workspace, mentoring, and 12 months to help shape a startup with impact baked in from day one.
