GCHQ seeks North West partners for new innovation programme

UK intelligence and cyber security agency, GCHQ, has launched a new programme to pioneer innovation and new technologies to national security and is working with Salford-based HOST to seek partner organisations in the North West and nationally.

The GCHQ Innovation Co-Lab is looking for five partners within the UK digital sector with innovative approaches to technology and analytics, or a vision to reach alternative markets for their products or service. The scheme has been developed in partnership with HOST, the Home of Skills & Technology, a MediaCityUK based organisation.

Businesses can apply to take part in specific challenges as part of the Co-Lab. These include:

• Dealing with uncertainty: Products and services which utilise open-source information to help people make sense of current events and plan for the future; and
• Re-imagining morse code: Technology that will help improve automated translation and transcriptions, supported by advances in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning – re-thinking traditional morse code technology for the future.
• A wild card option: businesses will have the rare opportunity to showcase to GCHQ an innovative and unique approach to technology that helps shape the future for the better.

While applications are open to all, they are particularly welcome from entrepreneurs in the North West, who are from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds. The programme will be delivered in a hybrid style, both in-person and virtually over five months with companies benefitting from collaboration with technologists and innovators from GCHQ and invaluable mentoring from innovation hub HOST and its investor networks.

Kate, GCHQ, Head of Research and Engineering in Manchester, said:

“We’re excited to be collaborating with the thriving technology ecosystem in Greater Manchester, connecting diverse entrepreneurs and creative technologists with the mission of GCHQ to bring fresh perspectives to our challenges.” 

Mo Isap, CEO of IN4.0 Group, operator of HOST, said: 

“As a dedicated innovation partner of GCHQ, we are privileged to continue to support founders with this specialist programme, ensuring innovation is inclusive and accessible for businesses and individuals across the region and the UK.

“The Co-Lab offers emerging technology businesses access to technologists and innovators from GCHQ as well as a valuable innovation and business growth support from the HOST community and its industry partners.”

The deadline for applications is 13 September, with successful applicants being announced by the end of October, and the programme beginning in November, with further information available from the HOST website.