“Sharing knowledge and being open to cooperation between global cyber innovators and industry is more important than ever. We’re looking forward to deepening our links with new global partners and acting as the UK landing pad and connector. These important partnerships with the New York Development Corporation and the Global Cyber Alliance will mean the emerging cyber stars we support can have even greater direct access to new markets and the networks they need to succeed.”

Andrew Roughan
Managing Director
LORCA
  • Partnerships with Global Cyber Alliance and the New York Economic Development Corporation boost international cybersecurity cooperation
  • Builds on launch of London Office for Rapid Cybersecurity Advancement at Plexal in June 2018

London, 22nd January 2019: Innovation centre Plexal, which delivers LORCA, the government-backed cybersecurity programme, today announces partnerships with the Global Cyber Alliance, City of New York, and the New York Economic Development Corporation. The partnerships are designed to help cybersecurity companies scale internationally while also expanding Plexal’s role as a major global cybersecurity cluster.

Plexal is announcing that the Global Cyber Alliance (GCA) has become a supporting partner, meaning that Plexal members and members of the LORCA cohort will benefit from access to the alliance’s global partners (of which there are over 200), such as Bank of America, IBM, KPMG, Microsoft and Sony. As well as mentoring and networking opportunities, the GCA will bring a wealth of cybersecurity expertise from government and the private sector to share with cyber innovators in Plexal’s network. This will help toshape their products into viable solutions that solve realworld challenges.

Plexal is also announcing its partnership with the City of New York Mayor’s Office of the Chief Technology Officer and the New York Economic Development Corporation. This will see Plexal be the UK lead for the NYCx Cybersecurity Moonshot Challenge, with a focus on creating better cybersecurity solutions for SMEs. Plexal will both ensure UK innovators are well represented as challenge participants and also act as the primary UK landing pad for challenge winners. Plexal will provide consultation, demo opportunities and a base for winners to develop in the UK through free coworking space and support at Plexal’s hub at Here East, London. The partnership will establish strong connections between cyber innovators based in NYC and the UK, enabling sharing of knowledge and resources that is vital to solving cybersecurity challenges on a global scale.

Global cooperation at LORCA

These partnerships build on the launch of the London Office for Rapid Cybersecurity Advancement (LORCA) in June 2018, hosted and delivered by Plexal with £13.5m of funding from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS). As the UK’s dedicated space for industry-led cybersecurity innovation, LORCA supports the most promising cybersecurity innovators in scaling and growing solutions to meet the most pressing industry challenges. In terms of its international remit, LORCA’s Industry Advisory Board includes representation from Cyber Spark (the Israeli cyber hub) and the National University of Singapore, among others. LORCA also works closely with the Department for International Trade and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to connect LORCA members to international networks through delegations and trade missions.

Andrew Roughan, Managing Director of LORCA, says: “Sharing knowledge and being open to cooperation between global cyber innovators and industry is more important than ever. We’re looking forward to deepening our links with new global partners and acting as the UK landing pad and connector. These important partnerships with the New York Development Corporation and the Global Cyber Alliance will mean the emerging cyber stars we support can have even greater direct access to new markets and the networks they need to succeed.”

Andy Bates, GCA Executive Director for UK and EMEA, Global Cyber Alliance, says: “Innovation and entrepreneurship are key to shoring up cyber defences. GCA is pleased to partner with Plexal and LORCA and participate in their program to work with scaleups working on cybersecurity challenges.”

James Patchett, President and CEO at the New York City Economic Development Corporation, says: “Cybersecurity is one of our world’s greatest threats, and we need to be ambitious about protecting ourselves. That’s why we’re making New York City a hotbed for cyber innovation, to protect every New Yorker and every business – all while creating good-paying jobs. We’re proud to help launch this important challenge, which will benefit New York City and create game-changing technology for the world to share.”

For More Info Contact:

Georgina Bass
Communications Manager
Delancey
Tel: +44 (0)20 7448 1991

Katharine Walsh
Head of Communications
Delancey
Tel: +44 (0)20 7448 1461

Plexal
Plexal@wcommunications.co.uk
Tel: +44 (0)7954 122 042

Notes to Editors

About Plexal
Plexal is an innovation centre and workspace located in the fast-growing Here East digital and creative campus in London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

Collaboration is at the heart of Plexal’s approach to innovation. Its innovation team delivers bespoke programmes for clients like Innovate UK and Transport for London, and specialises in forging connections between industry, academia, investors, startups and scaleups to tackle some of biggest challenges facing society while getting ideas market-ready.

Plexal has also been appointed by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport to deliver the London Office for Rapid Cybersecurity Advancement (LORCA): a threeyear innovation programme aimed at scaling cybersecurity solutions that are needed most by industry.

Designed as a ‘mini-city’ (it has its own indoor park, high street and prototyping workshop), startup and scaleup members of Plexal’s workspace benefit from a comprehensive programme of events and in-house professional services. Members work in areas like AI, healthtech, cybersecurity, fintech, the Internet of Things, AR, VR and more.

Plexal was launched in 2017 and was founded by clients of specialist real estate investment advisory company Delancey. For more information on LORCA, visit: plexal.com

About LORCA
Delivered by Plexal, Deloitte and the Centre for Secure Information Technologies (CSIT), LORCA is the UK’s dedicated space for industry-led cybersecurity innovation.

Based within Plexal’s workspace, it supports the most promising cybersecurity innovators in scaling and growing solutions to meet the most pressing industry challenges.

LORCA brings together innovators, corporates, investors, academics, and engineers to maximise the commercial potential of great cyber solutions, minimise the barriers to scale and increase speed to market. By 2021, it will have stimulated the growth of at least 72 high-potential companies, grown up to 2,000 jobs, and secured £40m in investment. LORCA is a key pillar of the wider National Cyber Security Strategy 2016 to 2021, which aims to position the UK as a world leader in cybersecurity innovation and, ultimately, make the UK the safest place to be online.
LORCA is funded by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport as part of the government’s five-year, £1.5bn investment to keep the UK safe online.

For more information on LORCA, visit: lorca.co.uk

About the Global Cyber Alliance
The Global Cyber Alliance (GCA) is an international, cross-sector effort dedicated to eradicating cyber risk and improving our connected world. We achieve our mission by uniting global communities, implementing concrete solutions, and measuring the effect. GCA, a 501(c)3, was founded in September 2015 by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, the City of London Police and the Center for Internet Security. Learn more at www.globalcyberalliance.org

About the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) and the Mayor’s Office of the CTO
NYCEDC is New York City’s primary vehicle for promoting economic growth in each of the five boroughs. Its mission is to stimulate growth through expansion and redevelopment programs that encourage investment, generate prosperity and strengthen the City’s competitive position. NYCEDC serves as an advocate to the business community by building relationships with companies that allow them to take advantage of New York City’s many opportunities. Find out more at nycedc.com

The Mayor’s Office of the Chief Technology Officer is making broadband, smart city technologies and the tech industry work for all New Yorkers. Learn more at NYC.gov/cto