Academics in cyber - apply now for a share of up to £800,000 to commercialise research

The funding competition for Year 9 of the UK’s only pre-seed accelerator programme in cyber security, CyberASAP, is now open for applications from academics in cyber who wish to commercialise their research.
The application deadline is 12th February and the competition has two funding strands for entry – an Industry challenge strand and an Open strand. You can discover full details of the competition here.

How does CyberASAP help academics?

CyberASAP (Cyber Security Academic Startup Accelerator Programme), launched in 2017, provides academics with a comprehensive package of skills, information and interventions designed to help them fully explore and exploit the commercial potential of their research.

Alumni insights

Alumni have pursued a variety of commercialisation routes, including spin out, acquisition, licensing, and making their tech available open source. Between them they have raised over £40m in post programme funding and created 32 companies to date.
Peter Garraghan, one of our Alumni and now CEO of AI security specialist, Mindgard, put it like this:

Our mission as scientists is to have impact and this programme really helps [carve out time] to focus on that.

Another Alumnus, Lorna Armitage of award-winning cyber training provider, CAPSLOCK, told us:

CyberASAP was our catalyst. It was a pivotal moment in turning a pipedream into something that seemed possible.

CyberASAP programme directors at Innovate UK, Robin Kennedy and Emma Fadlon added:

This is a very rewarding programme to deliver: every year we see academics developing the essential new commercial and business skills needed to take their innovation ideas beyond the lab and into the market where they can have impact. We are committed to continuing to support and encourage the widest possible participation of academics, including from under-represented groups, and look forward to meeting this year’s cohort.

Apply for CyberASAP

The Year 9 programme is due to start in April 2025. If you are an academic with an idea for a cyber product or service innovation and would like to develop its commercial potential via CyberASAP, find out more about eligible projects and applying.

Want to learn more about CyberASAP?

• Discover more CyberASAP Alumni stories
  You can read more about the experiences of academics who have been through the programme in our Case Study booklet. View the case studies booklet as a PDF.
• Attend the CyberASAP Year 8 – Demo Day
  Demo Day for the Year 8 cohort of CyberASAP takes place on 26 February in London. Investors and potential business collaborators who would like to meet the final 14 teams being showcased at the event are invited to register to attend the Demo Day.
• Register for CyberASAP updates
  If you would like to receive updates about the programme, or support it in any way, please register your interest in CyberASAP.

CyberASAP is funded by the UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and delivered by Innovate UK.