Secure Innovation interviews: early insights from the frontline

Since becoming an approved reviewer for the UK Government’s Secure Innovation Security Review Scheme, we’ve had the privilege of sitting down with pioneering tech companies who are shaping the future. These early conversations are giving us a fascinating window into the opportunities and challenges facing innovators in high-value sectors.

Who we’re speaking to

So far, we’ve been meeting with companies working in MedTech, defence supply chains, and other innovation-driven technology sectors. These are businesses building cutting-edge products that are either in-market or preparing to launch.

“Our clients are often at the sharp edge of innovation,” says Charlie Naughton-Rumbo, CEO of LeftBrain. “They are bringing new products to market at pace, and that means they are under pressure to show that both their organisation and their technology are secure.”

Common tech scaleup pain points

Two themes are emerging clearly:

• Organisational resilience: Startups entering new markets are under mounting pressure to demonstrate a holistic, programmatic approach to security. Risk management, in particular, is a key area of focus.
• Product assurance: Founders are also looking at how to build confidence in their products themselves, ensuring they are robust against common threats before conversations with customers and investors take place.

Put simply, these teams are fighting the battle on multiple fronts: protecting the business while also protecting what they are building.

Our information security approach

While every organisation’s needs are different, we’ve found that the most effective approach is to establish a scalable governance and risk management framework. This acts as the backbone, supporting both organisational security and product assurance, and giving companies the ability to demonstrate clear proof of their efforts across the board.

We often point to ISO 27001 as a tried-and-tested structure for this backbone. Even when certification is not required, mapping security practices against a recognised framework saves founders from reinventing the wheel, while future-proofing them for potential certifications or compliance needs down the line.

Why secure foundations matter

The Secure Innovation scheme is more than just a review. It is about building the next generation of resilient, secure businesses. By engaging with the scheme early, companies are laying strong foundations that will:

• Protect intellectual property and competitive advantage
• Strengthen investor confidence
• Help innovation thrive in a safe and sustainable way

“The real benefit of the scheme is that it helps founders think about security right at the start,” Charlie adds. “That means they can scale their companies with confidence and resilience, which is good for them and good for the UK as a whole.”

This benefits not just the individual startups, but the wider UK innovation ecosystem. Every product brought to market with resilience in mind strengthens our collective ability to innovate safely on the global stage.

How to apply

Applications are open now. Check your eligibility and apply via Innovate UK Business Connect.