Cyber Innovation Hub joins sbarc|spark

The Cyber Innovation Hub (CIH) has taken space with Cardiff Innovations at sbarc|spark – Cardiff’s newest home for spinouts and startups.

The move will boost CIH’s mission to transform the Cardiff Capital Region into a leading UK cyber security cluster by 2030, initially funded by Welsh Government and the Cardiff Capital Region Deal.

Creating a pipeline of new cyber products, high-growth businesses and talent, the £20m initiative aims to establish high-growth companies, develop new cyber security products and train 1,750 people in cyber skills.

CIH Director, Professor Pete Burnap, said: “We are delighted to be joining the sbarc|spark family. As Cardiff’s Home of Innovation, sbarc|spark offers us collaborative co-working space alongside industry partners, start-ups and internationally recognised research academics. In addition, it gives access to professional support services and business advice that can help CIH develop innovative ways to pipeline world class ideas from academic settings into cutting edge commercial solutions.”

The Cyber Innovation Hub aims to create more than 25 high-growth companies in the region, working with government, businesses and the public sector to pull through market-led innovation challenges and drive rapid development of new, innovative solutions.

Through the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), Cardiff University is recognised by UK Government for excellence in cybersecurity research, innovation, and education. CIH’s partner, the University of South Wales, is also recognised by NCSC for its excellence in cybersecurity education. CIH also has strong industry partners – Airbus, CGI and Thales – and works with the Alacrity Foundation and Tramshed Tech to nurture entrepreneurship and venture building.

Cardiff Innovations offers a range of services and spaces over four floors, including lettable office and co-working space, formal and informal meeting areas, high-end conference facilities, wet lab space and joint exhibition/presentation areas including conference space for up to 200 people, and access to the on-site Milk & Sugar café.

Rhys Pearce-Palmer, Cardiff University’s Innovation Operations Manager, said: “The arrival of CIH supports our ambition to be Cardiff’s Home of Innovation, incubating spin-outs and start-ups with support from the University in sbarc|spark. It’s a beautiful, creative home for collaborations and innovation with public, private and third sector partners.”

CIH is closely aligned to the School of Computer Science and Informatics, and the newly-created Airbus Centre of Excellence in Human Centric Cyber Security - a multi-layered collaboration led by the global tech giant and Cardiff University.

The Hub will be a collision space for innovators with access to a world-class digital twinning facility enabling the development, production and testing of new products and services where there is greatest market opportunity.

For more information on the Cyber Innovation Hub, email cyberinnovationhub@cardiff.ac.uk

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