Name: Cyber Innovation Den 2026
Start: 2026-10-06T11:30:00.000Z
End: 2026-10-06T16:00:00.000Z
Location: London

About this event

Why attend?

Hear from industry leaders and explore the progress being made to ensure the UK remains a leading hub of innovation in cyber.
Engage with policymakers who are driving innovation and growth across the sector.
Learn how growth and innovation can be best stimulated by emerging technologies and discuss opportunities for better collaboration between Primes and SMEs.

Back by popular demand, the Cyber Innovation Pitching Competition will be the highlight of the afternoon. The Competition will spotlight pioneering work from within the cyber security sector.

This is a fantastic opportunity to hear from exciting start-ups and SMEs about the latest R&D emerging from the cyber security sector. The brightest companies in the country will pitch their product or service to a panel of expert judges, with the winner crowned techUK's Cyber Innovator 2026.

Through an open call for applications, 10 finalists will be identified – showcasing the latest leading-edge capabilities, from a range of innovative SMEs across the UK cyber ecosystem.

PLEASE NOTE: The event will begin at 13:00 sharp. A networking lunch will be served from 12:30 for those attending in person at techUK’s London office.

Tickets:

This event is free to attend.

Agenda

12.00 – 13.00
Networking lunch
Networking lunch
13.00 – 13.05
Welcome and introductions
Welcome and introductions
- Jill Broom, Head - Cyber Resilience, techUK
13.05 – 13.15
Keynote 1 – What does the threat landscape look like in 2030?
Keynote 1 – What does the threat landscape look like in 2030?
- Saba Ahmed, Managing Director, Cyber Resilience, Accenture
13.15 – 13.50
Panel – Investment and growth trends in cyber security
Panel – Investment and growth trends in cyber security
- Joshua Walter, Partner, Osney Capital
- Nuala Kilmartin, Innovation Lead - Secure and Resilient Growth, Innovate UK UKRI
- Simon Shiu, Visiting Professor of Cyber Security, University of Bristol
13.50 – 14.00
Pitching competition introduction: Jill Broom Head of Cyber Resilience, techUK
Through an open call for applications, 10 finalists have been identified – highlighting the latest leading-edge capabilities, from a range of innovative SMEs across the UK cyber ecosystem. This year, judges will be looking in particular for those innovations which harness emerging technology to help secure supply chains across the UK.
- Jill Broom, Head - Cyber Resilience, techUK
- Aurorah Smith, Director of Commercial Strategy & Growth, OneAdvanced IT Services, Founder, Guardian Compass
- Saba Ahmed, Managing Director, Cyber Resilience, Accenture
- Marcin Roth, Senior Information Security Manager (Head of Information Security), iD Mobile
- Catherine O'Keeffe, Deputy Director of Cyber Security, NHS England
14.00 – 14.45
Pitching competition – Session 1
Each company will deliver a 3-min pitch followed by 2-3 minutes for judges’ questions
- Jill Broom, Head - Cyber Resilience, techUK
14.45 – 15.00
Break for coffee
Break for coffee
15.00 – 15.25
Keynote 2 – Government keynote
Keynote 2 – Government keynote
15.25 – 16.10
Pitching competition – Session 2
Each company will deliver a 3-min pitch followed by 2-3 minutes for judges’ questions.
- Jill Broom, Head - Cyber Resilience, techUK
16.10 – 16.30
Keynote 3 – What’s next after the Cyber Innovation Den?
Keynote 3 – What’s next after the Cyber Innovation Den?
- Dr Daniel Shiu, Chief Cryptographer, Arqit Limited
- Dr Andrea Cullen MBE, Co-Founder, CAPSLOCK
- Diane Gilbert, Senior Innovation Lead - Programmes, Plexal
16.25 – 16.30
Winner announced
Winner announced
16.30
Conference close
Conference close