Confessions of a Cyber Security Founder

What’s it like to be a founder? What’s it like to be a Cyber-Security Founder?! The UK’s cybersecurity sector is thriving, boasting a robust 13% growth in revenue over the past year, creating 2,700 new jobs, and achieving an impressive annual revenue of £11.9 billion. In 2023 alone, the sector witnessed £271 million raised across 71 deals, underscoring its resilience and expansion amidst global challenges.

This growth is driven by significant consolidation among major providers, alongside emerging threats and opportunities shaped by the evolving landscape of cyber threats, regulatory hurdles, and broader economic uncertainties. So, what does it take to excel as a Cyber Security Founder in this dynamic environment?

Join us as we delve into the world of cybersecurity entrepreneurship, featuring first-hand experiences, insights, and CONFESSIONS from distinguished founders in the field.

Speakers Bios:

• David Webb – Founder & former CEO, 6point6 – Chairman, Zally
  David, the visionary founder and former CEO of 6point6 — acquired by Accenture in October 2023 — has a 35-year career spanning tech, cybersecurity, and fintech. This is an unmissable opportunity to hear from David on how he scaled a tech start-up from a single person company to a leading technology consultancy company, employing over 450 people and supplying services to Central Government, Defence and Security, Financial Services and Commercial sectors. We will also explore with David how he plans to leverage his extensive experience to boost Zally’s growth, focusing on expanding market presence and achieving operational excellence.
• Patrick Smith – Founder & CEO, Zally
  Patrick, a serial entrepreneur, who launched two businesses by age ten. After leaving high school, he sold his first business at 18, and later founded a London agency that grew to a 50+ team with 250+ clients in under two years. Patrick will spill the beans on how Zally aims to kill passwords and build the UK’s next unicorn. Hear Patrick’s experiences and tips on raising finance, building a team, embracing your creativity and trail blazing a novel technology with global ambition.
• Carly Gulliver – Corporate Partner, Addleshaw Goddard 
  Carly, a corporate lawyer at Addleshaw Goddard, operates at the intersection of law and digital innovation. Recently recognised as a leading “Changemaker” in the legal industry, Carly is a go-to for entrepreneurs, investors, and companies navigating the exciting world of digital. When she’s not working hard on legal strategies for her clients, you’ll find Carly with her AirPods in, consuming entrepreneur and business podcasts, making her perfectly placed to chair our discussion and, of course, to get the inside scoop from our Founders—especially their juicy CONFESSIONS! Addleshaw Goddard is a Leeds law firm, with a number of other national and international offices, with a full service offering including tech, data protection, IP, IT, M&A, fundraising and finance. Our lawyers are friendly, helpful, optimistic and deliver results.

Agenda:

• 16:00 – 16:30 Arrival and refreshments;
• 16:30 – 17:30 – Panel;
• 17:30 – 18:00 – Networking and refreshments.