Social Investment
Cornerstone
A social investment to increase the diversity of teams accessing venture capital support in tech.
Cybersecurity continues to be a high‑demand specialism, even as AI reshapes the labour market, and is one of the UK Government’s six designated frontier technologies for innovation and economic growth.
The CyberHorizons programme is designed to build young people’s cyber and technical skills, inspire them about careers in the sector, and provide practical guidance on navigating pathways into employment. Aimed at students aged 16–18, the programme begins with an intensive summer experience, combining skills development and employability workshops with hands-on cyber projects delivered alongside industry professionals. Participants also benefit from on-site company visits, giving direct exposure to real-world working environments.
The summer programme culminates in a one‑week, in‑person CyberDefenders course delivered by CyberFirst instructors. This covers core topics including common cybersecurity threats, applying cyber defences, constructing and securing networks, and managing digital footprints. Following the summer provision, students receive mentoring throughout their final year of school, with tailored support on university and apprenticeship applications, CV writing, personal statements, and interview preparation.
CyberHorizons is delivered through a partnership that brings together CyberFirst’s strong track record in promoting cybersecurity opportunities to young people and RTC North’s extensive experience of delivering high-quality STEM programmes in schools across the region.
Following a successful pilot in the North East of England—engaging over 30 industry and academic partners—the programme is expanding into the Yorkshire and Humber region. This expansion will support more than 100 students from lower-income backgrounds. Over time, there is ambition to scale the programme to further regions across the UK.
“In our day to day work we see first-hand the critical importance of cybersecurity and what a rewarding and fascinating career it is. But lots of businesses struggle to fill vacancies and many young people do not understand the range of opportunities on offer in the sector. So we are delighted to have helped develop this new initiative, working with expert partners and regional employers to build the next generation of cyber talent.”
“CyberFirst provides opportunities for young people, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, to pursue their interests in technology and Cyber Security. Since 2015, the National Cyber Security Centre has funded 1,399 aspiring cyber security professionals through university, and this pilot initiative between CyberFirst, RTC North, and the Hg Foundation offers aspiring students from the North East a fantastic opportunity to take their first step in to cyber.”