CYBER RUNWAY IGNITE

Introducing the 2025 ignite cohort

Dr Anna Vartapetiance is the CEO and co-founder ofSecurium , which uses AI to enhance national security and protect businesses and vulnerable people from online harms. Anna is committed to using her leadership role at Securium to counter online harms and make the internet a safer place. Securium, pre-seed.

Ashima Chopra is the CEO and co-founder ofDatambit , which uses AI to detect deepfakes across audio, video and image content – including live calls or digital meetings. Ashima is using her three decades of international experience in research in technology and innovation to protect businesses from digital fraud, identity manipulation and synthetic media threats. Datambit – pre-seed.

Benedict Jones is the CEO and co-founder of Traced. Its flagship product is Trustd MTD , which offers AI-powered mobile threat defence that combats against threats like malware and phishing attack. Traced provides trusted security to over 300,000 devices globally. Traced – Series A.

Julia O'Toole is the CEO and co-founder of MyCena, an AI security company on a mission to change the way organisations manage passwords. By issuing encrypted, invisible credentials users never see, like keys, employees don’t need to use passwords – reducing the likelihood that they become the victim of phishing and credential theft. MyCena – Seed

Rachael Greaves is the CEO and co-founder of Castlepoint Systems, an AI-powered command and control platform for your data that provides complete visibility and risk management across every system, format and location – anywhere and at any time. She’s previously been awarded the Female RegTech Entrepreneur of the Year and Australia’s Most Outstanding Woman in IT Security. Castlepoint Systems – Series A.

Simeon Quarrie is the founder of VIVIDA, which works to make learning unforgettable. It uses the power of immersive, visual storytelling to deliver compliance, learning and awareness in a way that sticks and drives behaviour change. He has previously been named the UK Creative Entrepreneur of the Year and was the National Diversity CEO of the Year Finalist. VIVIDA – pre-seed.

Applications
Closed

For founders and CEOs to develop as leaders and scale their businesses.

Cyber Runway Ignite is for six exceptional leaders from cyber security startups. Funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and delivered by Plexal, we’re helping leaders to scale your startup to new heights and unleash your leadership potential.

Over six months, we’re providing a bespoke, highly tailored package of support that includes mentorship, professional services, leadership coaching, a founders’ retreat, international exposure and connections to industry and investors.

If you have big ambitions to be a more impactful leader within your startup or the wider UK ecosystem, Ignite is for you. And you’ll do all this within a unique community of peers who have similar ambitions, challenges and experiences.

WHAT WE’LL COVER

From group workshops to 1:1 coaching with hand-picked experts, we’ll help you get match-fit to be the leader you were born to be. These are some examples of what we’ll cover during our bespoke leadership programme:

GROWTH

Exit, growth and funding strategies
Industry connections
Managing change and understanding emerging sector and ecosystem trends

MISSION AND COMMUNICATION

Mission and making an impact
Confidence and overcoming demons like imposter syndrome
Authentic personal branding and storytelling

PEOPLE AND CULTURE

Stress and burnout
Creating a supportive culture that drives growth
Building your team and delegating

Key dates

Tuesday 30th SEPtember

Applications open

Monday 20th OCTober

Applications close

MONDAY 27th OCTober

Programme onboarding

w/c moNDAY 20th OCTober

Successful applicants notified

Tuesday18th -Wednesday 19th NOVember

Kick- off retreat

BENEFITS

5 x in-person days
Virtual leadership coaching and 1:1 mentor
2 x one-day founders' retreat
1 x VIP dinner
1 x international trip (fully funded)

CRITERIA

Cyber Runway Ignite is open to anyone in the leadership team of UK-registered cyber security or AI security startups who want to develop as a leader. You should have launched your product and be revenue-generating.

HERE’S WHAT OUR IGNITE ALUMNI SAY

"It felt like it was a real supported experience guided by the principle to level up leadership, with the intention that the whole ecosystem benefits. That full support has been invaluable - whether that be mentor guidance in very tricky times, cohort support, or introductions to other people in the wider ecosystem. The ability to share and lean on my mentor, the cohort and coach has been pivotal.”

"The timing of my participation in Ignite couldn't have been more fortuitous. The programme equipped me with the resilience and strategies needed and thanks to the insights and support gained from Ignite, our business is not just surviving but thriving. In summary, Ignite has been a cornerstone in our journey, providing the camaraderie, tools, personal development, and timely support essential for navigating the complexities of leadership and business growth.”