CyberNorth has announced a “landmark moment” with the roll out of two pilot Innovation Centres in Newcastle and Durham, thanks to funding from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).
The funding will enable CyberNorth and key partners to pilot the initiative and provide proof of concept for further roll-out across the North East. The Innovation Centres will provide a vital platform to pioneering early-stage businesses allowing them to pursue and accelerate their growth trajectory in the cyber security field.
The venture will see CyberNorth collaborate with one of the UK’s most successful FinTechs, Atom Bank and co-working space provider floe to house businesses as part of a six-month package of support to help foster innovation and growth.
The funding announcement follows the successful Aspire CyberFest 2023 event, which brought together over 350 business leaders and tech experts from the region. Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Minister for AI and Intellectual Property) Viscount Camrose addressed the conference and highlighted the vital role played by the North East’s cyber security cluster, CyberNorth, and local tech companies in fuelling the growth of the region’s cyber security sector.
Phil Jackman, director CyberNorth said: “We are delighted to have secured funding from the DSIT, this is a ground-breaking moment for cyber security in the region. As a catalyst of support in the North East, the aim of CyberNorth is to bring the cyber sector together, whilst championing the region nationally. The roll-out of the ‘physical’ Innovation Centres is a big step and see our plans and collaborations with partners across the North East build further momentum.
“The ministerial visit to the region last year was key and enabled the minister to see first-hand the challenges being faced, and the potential to grow the cyber security and digital sector to unlock new jobs and investment across the region. We are very excited to put the wheels in motion for this new venture with our partners Atom Bank and floe.”
With the region now recognised as a key player in the UK cyber security landscape, the Innovation Centres will further unleash potential in the North East, supporting the businesses under the programme with a blend of business incubation, free or subsidised accommodation and hands on skills development and support.
CyberNorth’s mission since inception has been to bolster the region’s cyber security ecosystem, develop the cyber security community and raise local, national and international awareness of opportunities and capacity in the North East.
The CyberNorth Membership community is made up of around 900 members from the cyber security landscape and CyberNorth works closely with other sector clusters across the region including FinTech, Space, HealthTech, Advanced Manufacturing and Renewables.
The new funding presents an opportunity to create the two ‘pop-up’ innovation centres in the region and to use these to develop a future model whereby small innovation hotspots can be created that bring innovators and business support together.
Atom Bank is housed on a key site at Aykley Heads, County Durham. Launched in 2016, the app-based bank employs more than 550 people and has strong connections across the local community. It will support businesses under the programme to help foster and accelerate the start-up process for budding cyber security businesses.
Jon Holden, CISO, Atom Bank said: “Our support for the innovation centres, rooted in the vibrant cities of Newcastle and Durham, is not just an investment in the community and technology, but a steadfast commitment to a safer digital future for all of the UK. It’s an absolute pleasure to be part of CyberNorth and support the vast cyber security talent in the region. We are not only nurturing local talent, transforming raw potential into the new defenders of cyberspace but also celebrating the unique fusion of tradition and technology that our region has to offer.”
Co-working space provider floe, which has community and support at its core, will support businesses looking to set up a base in the heart of Newcastle.
Its director Hamish Rutherford said: “We are delighted to work with CyberNorth to support this exciting programme in the region. We look forward to hosting a range of new and innovative businesses at our accessible city centre premises to help nurture the next generation of cyber security talent.”
CyberNorth’s Operational Group includes representation from key organisations across the region including Northumbria University, Accenture, Waterstons, Virgin Money, Vertu Motors and Aspire Technology. The team brings together an incredible wealth, knowledge and expertise, providing invaluable insights to pioneer the future of cyber security in the North East.
In addition to its strong regional presence, CyberNorth is part of UKC3, the UK Cyber Cluster Collaboration. Together they are on a mission to facilitate and level up the divide across the North through the Northern Cyber Clusters Collaboration project, which aims to better understand cyber security assets and key cyber security players in the Northern regions, and to develop ways for them to work together to increase visibility and to elevate growth and opportunities in the sector.
