Plexal, an innovation company founded by Delancey, is today (Tuesday, August 16) opening applications for early-stage startups to apply for the new digital security accelerator programme from Greater Manchester’s Digital Security Hub (DiSH).
DiSH is delivered by a consortium consisting of Barclays Eagle Labs, Lancaster University, The University of Manchester and Plexal. It was launched in June 2022 with the aim of supporting 500 startups and creating over 1000 jobs in Greater Manchester.
DiSH sits at the heart of the Greater Manchester digital security ecosystem to provide workspace, growth support and connections for local digital entrepreneurs.
Led by Barclays Eagle Labs, DiSH is supported by Manchester City Council and counts Lancaster University and the University of Manchester as academic partners, as well as Plexal as the dedicated innovation partner.
Beginning on 24 October and taking place over three months, the DiSH Accelerator will offer digital security and cyber businesses from Greater Manchester and the wider North West access to mentors, coaching, events, industry connections and dedicated support to help them grow their early-stage businesses.
Plexal is inviting early-stage startups, including seed and pre-seed investment level startups, to apply for the programme by 11 September 2022. Plexal and the partners will take no intellectual property or equity from any of the startups, and there is no fee required to take part.
Applicants will be able to work from the 11,000 square foot DiSH workspace. Plexal is particularly keen to receive applications from startups with diverse teams, including startups led by women and other under-represented groups.
According to the government’s latest Sectoral Analysis of the UK’s cyber sector, more than 1,800 cyber security firms generated a total of £10.1bn in revenue. Greater Manchester, which was highlighted in the government’s levelling up whitepaper as being a key region for further investment and economic growth, is home to several tech unicorns as well as GCHQ’s offices and has a burgeoning cyber security sector.
Its homegrown digital security companies include Avecto, Hedgehog, NCC Group and Secarma, and it has also attracted cyber divisions of companies such as Raytheon, BAE Systems AI and Northrop Grumman, making it the fastest-growing tech city within Europe.
