NPIF II backs advanced cybersecurity specialist to boost regional expansion and talent development

A Manchester-based cybersecurity start-up has become the latest North West business to raise Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II) funding, as it sets out to create up to 20 new cybersecurity jobs over the next 12 months.

Founded in Manchester in 2020, CloudGuard specialises in automation and AI-led cyber attack detection, protection and response services to help businesses proactively remove threats in real time.

CloudGuard raised the money from NPIF II – Praetura Equity Finance, which is managed by Praetura Ventures as part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund, and will now use the multi-million pound backing to expand its Manchester-based hub. This includes increasing its workforce from 30 to 50 and strengthening AI research with Manchester universities.

The investment will also be used to grow the CloudGuard Cyber Academy, which will provide training and industry experience to talent of all ages and levels, including those seeking their first role in the industry or others who are looking to change careers.

Led by CEO Matt Lovell and CTO Javid Khan, the business provides SMEs and large enterprises from a wide range of sectors, including manufacturing, professional services and utilities, with highly responsive and adaptive cybersecurity services – enhancing both security and cost efficiency.

The news follows comments by the head of GCHQ’s National Cyber Security Centre, Dr Richard Horne, who warned that nationally significant incidents have risen by 50% compared to the same time last year, and urged for greater collaboration to strengthen cyber resilience.

 “Unfortunately for many businesses, the complexity and volume of cyber events is increasing every day. More effective use of Automation and AI is fundamental to enabling better detection, protection, response and resolution outcomes, but equally as threats continually evolve so to must our capabilities. Response time is critical to mitigating the impact of cyber events in any business, as well as improving business resilience. CloudGuard are striving to provide more cost-effective, more responsive resolution-based services for all businesses with leading security solutions from Microsoft and other partners. Manchester is our home. It’s such an amazing City, rapidly becoming one of the UK’s leading cyber hubs. We are thrilled with the Northern Powerhouse investment and plans to accelerate our business and talent.”

Matt Lovell, co-founder and CEO at CloudGuard

 “Manchester has grown to become a leading cybersecurity ecosystem over the last several years because of companies like CloudGuard and their commitment to developing and growing the next generation of cybersecurity specialists locally. Alongside Matt and Javid’s extensive domain expertise and experience, this commitment is what attracted us to invest and sums up why NPIF II is so important. The mission is to find and fund innovative businesses that are not only committed to their own growth but to the region’s growth as a whole – CloudGuard is one of those businesses and is doing exceptional work in its field.”

Michael Rees, Investment Manager at Praetura Ventures

 “The North West is continually proving that it is at the forefront of the cybersecurity industry in the UK, as demonstrated by this latest investment. Providing businesses with investment opportunities is a crucial tool in boosting the growth of the entire Northern economy, and as shown in this latest deal, a way to increase high-skilled job opportunities for people in the region as well.”

Sue Barnard, Senior Manager at British Business Bank

The £660m Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIFII) covers the entire North of England and provides loans from £25k to £2m and equity investment up to £5m to help a range of small and medium sized businesses to start up, scale up or stay ahead.

The purpose of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II is to drive sustainable economic growth by supporting innovation and creating local opportunity for new and growing businesses across the North of England. The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II will increase the supply and diversity of early-stage finance for the North’s smaller businesses, providing funds to firms that might otherwise not receive investment and help to break down barriers in access to finance.

About the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II

• Operated by the British Business Bank, the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II) provides a mix of debt and equity funding.  NPIF II will offer a range of commercial finance options with smaller loans from £25k to £100k, debt finance from £100k to £2m and equity investment up to £5 million. It works alongside the Combined Authorities, Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs), and Growth Hubs, as well as local intermediaries such as accountants, fund managers and banks, to support the South West’s smaller businesses at all stages of their development. 
• The funds in which the NPIF II invests are open to businesses with material operations, or planning to open material operations, in: Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside, City of Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, Hartlepool and Stockton-on-Tees, South Teesside, Darlington, Durham, Northumberland, Tyneside, Sunderland.           
• Supported by Nations and Regions Investments Limited, a subsidiary of British Business Bank plc, the Bank is a development bank wholly owned by HM Government. Neither Nations and Regions Investments Limited nor British Business Bank plc are authorised or regulated by the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) or the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

For investment by NRIL at the sub-fund level

• The investment from the Nations and Regions Investments Limited into [.] does not amount to any endorsement or warranty from Nations and Regions Investments Limited, the British Business Bank plc or the government of the United Kingdom.

For investment by NPIF II sub-fund at the investee company level

About the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II

Praetura Ventures is a Manchester-based venture capital firm which invests in early-stage, high-growth businesses across the UK, with a particular focus on supporting entrepreneurs across the North of England.           

Praetura Ventures is committed to adding value post-investment and providing the ‘more than money’ support that businesses need to grow, including additional expertise, resources, networks and guidance, to its investee companies.         

Since 2019, Praetura Ventures has backed 45 companies, including North West headquartered businesses Culture Shift, AccessPay and Peak. The business has now grown to over £260m AUM and recently won the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II mandate for the £100m fund dedicated to equity in the North West of England.   

 Learn more at praeturaventures.com      

About CloudGuard