Image courtesy Salt Communications

Salt Communications recently announced their graduation from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) for Startups Programme.

This milestone not only underscores the company's dedication to excellence but also emphasises the collaborative efforts between industry players and governmental agencies in strengthening our digital defences.

The NCSC For Startups Programme was a unique initiative that amalgamated the NCSC's technical and commercial expertise with the global entrepreneurial ecosystem. By providing a blend of technical guidance, commercial mentorship and strategic introductions, the programme equipped startups with the tools and resources necessary to thrive in the competitive cybersecurity landscape.

Above: Making the scenic road trip from east to west, Jennifer Parker and Zen Terrelonge from the Plexal marketing team visited the Hub8 Gloucestershire College workspace to deliver a Comms Coaching session to the NCSC For Startups cohort.
Courtesy Salt Communications

The programme had a tailored approach to meet the diverse needs of startups at different stages of maturity. Whether a startup was focused on developing its core product, expanding into new markets, or seeking opportunities for pilot projects, the NCSC For Startups Programme offered bespoke support to accelerate their growth trajectory.

Successful applicants of the programme were on boarded throughout the year and worked from the NCSC For Startups HQ in Cheltenham, gaining access to a collaborative environment conducive to innovation and growth. Salt Communications were completing the programme alongside many innovative companies such as Kuro, lothic, Cynalytica and Orbisky.

Above: Design thinking day at HQ, where founders from Cynalytica, lothic Ltd., Kuro, OrbiSky Systems and Salt Communications had the chance to explore how applying design thinking and prototyping can evolve the startups' products to the next level.
Courtesy Salt Communications
 
What was learnt and received throughout the programme:

1. Tailored Programme Content: Each programme was customised to address the specific needs and goals of participating startups. While the content varied, typical elements included speed meeting events with key stakeholders in the cybersecurity ecosystem, goal-setting workshops, presentation skills training, pitching opportunities and networking events.
2. Access to Expert Mentors: Throughout the programme, startups had the opportunity to work closely with three key mentors focusing on marketing, pitching and value proposition. These mentors provided invaluable guidance and insights to help startups refine their strategies and optimise their offerings for the market.
3. Strategic Introductions: The programme facilitated introductions to companies and investors, creating valuable opportunities for startups to forge partnerships, secure funding, and explore avenues for commercial growth.
4. Technical Expertise: Startups had the privilege of meeting with NCSC's technical experts, gaining insights into the latest cybersecurity trends, best practices and emerging threats. This access to domain expertise enabled startups to enhance the security features of their products and services, ensuring robust protection against cyber threats.

Above: The NCSC for startups cohort at Deloitte London office for a series of workshops following on from the Deloitte Day in MCR. The start-ups got further exposure to Senior Leadership and the industry practitioners that are working with clients on overlapping challenges.
Courtesy Salt Communications

Joe Boyle, CEO of Salt Communications said: "Taking part in the NCSC for Startups programme has been an exhilarating journey for Salt Communications. Graduating from this intensive programme fills us with a sense of pride and accomplishment, knowing that we're even more equipped with the tools and knowledge to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of digital security with confidence and resilience."  

Saj Huq, CCO and Head of Innovation at Plexal, added: "Having originally worked with Salt Communications in 2019, I was pleased they enrolled onto the NCSC For Startups programme at the start of this year. Now that Salt Communications has graduated, I'm delighted to welcome them into our alumni of more than 70 companies and look forward to seeing what the next five years of innovation and beyond holds for Joe and the team - I know they'll have a wealth of knowledge to bring to the community."

By participating in the NCSC for Startups Programme, Salt Communications and other innovative startups made significant strides in the cybersecurity domain. Through collaboration, mentorship, and strategic support, Salt Communications not only strengthened their own position in the market but also contributed to the collective efforts to safeguard digital infrastructure.

Salt Communications is a multiaward winning cyber security company headquartered in Belfast, Northern Ireland, providing a fully enterprise-managed software solution giving absolute privacy in mobile communications.

NCSC For Startups (the successor to the NCSC's Cyber Accelerator) is a unique initiative that offers startups insights and guidance from NCSC experts, enabling them to develop, adapt or pilot technology to meet the biggest cyber security challenges facing the UK.