BAE Systems has extended its collaboration with Cyber London (CyLon) for three more years to nurture talent in cyber security sector in the UK.
CyLon is a cyber security startup accelerator founded in collaboration of cyber security practitioners, entrepreneurs and public policy experts, and professional investors.
Founded in January 2015, CyLon nurtures cyber security startups and teams by providing them with interaction opportunities with mentors from academic, commercial, entrepreneurial, government and investment backgrounds.
The collaboration follows a partnership which extended for a period of eighteen months, where about 23 startup companies completed a three month accelerator programme which includes professional training and guidance by mentors, including BAE’s own experts.
According to BAE systems, on the ‘demo day’ the extended partnership between the two organisations will be announced in London and here the participating start-ups can pitch to potential investors and partners, after the programme is completed.
As per the partnership agreement, BAE Systems will invest and provide support through its in-house experts to the participating start-up companies in the form of mentoring and guidance throughout the programme.
UK Minister of State for Digital and Culture, Matt Hancock noted that for the past eighteen months, BAE Systems and Cyber London have supported several UK-based cyber security start-ups in their development.
He also noted that by extending their partnership, cyber security sector can be given further boost and the partnership has been complementing the UK’s National Cyber Security Programme.
BAE Systems cyber division New Ventures and Innovation director Richard Wilding said: “Our relationship with CyLon is a critical part of our innovation programme, helping ensure that we support the UK’s cyber economy, while also allowing us to work hand-in-hand with some of the brightest people and the most innovative technologies entering the market today.
“We are in advanced discussions with a number of the companies over trialling their technology within BAE Systems and incorporating into the services and products we take to our customers.
“It has been really exciting to play a role in these companies starting to flourish, securing investment and creating high value jobs – and we look forward to continuing this successful partnership over the next three years.”
CyLon co-founder Jonathan Luff said: “CyLon and BAE Systems have forged a great partnership.
“The UK is a cyber superpower, and with the support of a global giant like BAE Systems, we are confident that CyLon can help many more cyber start-ups to flourish here over the next three years and beyond.”
