CyNam has been awarded funding for the prestigious 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. It will be able to offer fast-track entrepreneurial programmes, one-to-one mentoring, events, workshops and more.

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 start-ups and attract stronger investment interest to the region. This programme has been designed especially to unlock the capabilities of the locality."

The project will focus on four key areas. Leveraging existing data, CyNam will connect cyber experts with emerging tech start-ups, fostering collaboration and uncovering growth opportunities.

Working with partners and stakeholders, it 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 start-ups. Finally, it will expand its 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."

The project aligns with CyNam's mission to speed up and empower the growth of Cheltenham and Gloucestershire's cyber security and emerging technology sector.

Details of upcoming programmes, events and workshops will be announced soon.