One of the UK’s newest cyber security clusters has celebrated another key milestone – with the successful delivery of its latest regional innovation showcase.
Hampshire and Sussex Cyber Cluster (HANDS C3) partnered with the South Central Regional Defence & Security Cluster (SCRDSC) to deliver Cyber Den – a pilot event created to spark collaboration across the South East’s cyber ecosystem.
Hosted at the University of Southampton Science Park, the Dragons’ Den-style session brought together start-ups, SMEs, universities, corporates, public sector partners, and expert panellists to showcase cutting-edge solutions to real-world cyber challenges.
Led by Dr Basel Halak, Director of the Cyber Security Academy at the University of Southampton and Founder of HANDS C3, the event underlined the momentum behind building a strong, interconnected cyber ecosystem across the South.
Blending live pitching with opportunities for networking, the format gave early-stage businesses a platform to test ideas with sector leaders and practitioners, gaining feedback that can accelerate their journey from concept to market.
Dr Halak said: “The event benefited greatly from the depth of expertise on our industry panel and the active participation of organisations from across the region, whose insight helped shape and refine the innovators’ thinking.
“We are particularly grateful to Factory Internet and NquiringMinds for sponsoring Cyber Den – their backing is exactly the kind of industry engagement that enables clusters like HANDS C3 to thrive.”
The winning pitch was delivered by a graduate of the University of Southampton, illustrating the strength of the talent pipeline emerging from regional universities and the role academic institutions play in powering the UK’s cyber sector.
With further online events planned, and an in-person showcase scheduled for the summer, HANDS C3 is continuing to work on community building across the South East.
Ben Shorrock, UKC3 Director and Ecosystem Development Lead, said: “HANDS C3’s Cyber Den shows exactly what local clusters do best – bringing founders, researchers and industry together around real problems and helping new ideas get the traction they need.
“By backing clusters to run this kind of focused innovation activity, we are strengthening regional ecosystems and, in turn, the resilience and growth of the UK’s cyber sector as a whole.”
