Innovation Centre v2

CyberNorth ran a pilot Innovation Centre during 2024, involving 10 pre-startup and early stage businesses. Of these 4 businesses are now revenue generating, 2 applicants have gone on to cyber security roles in existing organisations and 1 student is using the experience as the idea for their thesis.

Following the pilot, CyberNorth has been able to apply lessons learned to the second iteration of the Innovation Centre. The Innovation Centre will be run through a series of 6 workshops over a six week period in a single location. The workshops will cover product, customers, finance, people, company and meet the buyer.

This shorter format programme than the original six month pilot, being based in one location rather than two, will create a greater sense of momentum and cohesion for the founder community. We've also removed the cost for office accommodation as this was underutilised, resulting in a much more cost effective project.

Furthermore, we've added coaching for founders to help them achieve their ambitions and have also added a meet the buyer element to the programme, giving businesses the ability to meet with potential customers at the end of the programme. The revised programme will be more repeatable and sustainable.