CyNam secures Eagle Lab funding

By Nicky Godding

24 April 2024

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A CyNam networking event

CyNam, the cyber security cluster for Cheltenham and Gloucestershire, has been awarded funding for the Barclays Eagle Labs Ecosystem Partnership Programme. CyNam has been convening Cheltenham and Gloucestershire’s cyber security community since 2017, encouraging collaboration, networking and innovation to unlock the potential of the ecosystem and drive prosperity regionally.

This funding will enable CyNam to forge greater collaboration between its cyber security and emerging technology clusters, unlocking the region’s world-leading capability in securing emerging technologies. Fast-track entrepreneurial programmes, one-to-one mentoring, events, workshops and more will be on offer.

Hollie Wakefield, General Manager of CyNam, said: "The Western Gateway's mapping exercise of the regional ecosystem has already highlighted significant capabilities in cyber security and emerging technologies such as space, AI, agritech, quantum, and semiconductors.

“However, visibility and connectivity between these clusters remain limited. This project will empower CyNam to leverage its established network and expertise to foster collaboration, address the unique security challenges faced by emerging technology startups and attract stronger investment interest to the region. This programme has been designed especially to unlock the capabilities of the locality.”

This project will focus on four key areas. Leveraging existing data, CyNam will connect cyber experts with emerging tech startups, fostering collaboration and uncovering growth opportunities. Working with partners and stakeholders, CyNam will host knowledge-sharing symposiums to convene thought leaders to explore challenges and showcase regional expertise. CyNam will also tackle the investment gap with programmes designed to attract early-stage investment for secure technology startups. Finally, CyNam will expand their mentoring platform, to further support founders and entrepreneurs.

Amanda Allan, Director of Barclays Eagle Labs, said: “We are excited to facilitate this funding to help CyNam continue its support for cyber security businesses in Cheltenham and Gloucestershire.

“Using our Ecosystem Partnership Programme, we are allocating funding to organisations like CyNam that are already plugged into their regional ecosystems. We are proud to be able to support these projects, which are designed to help early-stage tech entrepreneurs. Our support for CyNam and similar organisations highlights our ongoing commitment to support the tech sector, which is vital to the continued growth of local economies across the whole of the UK.”

This project aligns with CyNam’s mission to catalyse and empower the growth of Cheltenham and Gloucestershire's cyber security and emerging technology sector.

By Nicky Godding

Nicky Godding is editor of The Business Magazine. Before her journalism career, she worked mainly in public relations moving into writing when she was invited to launch Retail Watch, a publication covering retail and real estate across Europe.

After some years of constant travelling, she tucked away her passport and concentrated on business writing, co-founding a successful regional business magazine. She has interviewed some of the UK’s most successful entrepreneurs who have built multi-million-pound businesses and reported on many science and technology firsts.

She reports on the region’s thriving business economy from start-ups, family businesses and multi-million-pound corporations, to the professionals that support their growth and the institutions that educate the next generation of business leaders.