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Security spin-off of BW Ventures opens office in Europe’s leading security cluster

In March, BW Security Ventures, a spin-off of the Eindhoven based BW Ventures, opened its doors on the campus of The Hague Security Delta. The recent arrival to this national innovation centre for security in The Hague was officially confirmed today. To mark the occasion InnovationQuarter presented a special welcome plaque to Sebastiaan Kors, director of this business accelerator for (cyber) security startups.

Sebastiaan Kors (BW Security Ventures) ondertekent de HSD-overeenkomst.

From idea to profitable concept

Many startups, as well as corporates and investors, are struggling how a good security idea or (cyber) security concept can be converted into a commercially viable business model. BW Security Ventures scouts (inter)national startups that are active within the (cyber) security sector. Through the data-driven accelerator program PreXLR, a business development program of 100 days, BW Security Ventures guides the (early phase) startups at their first steps to success and validates the commercial feasibility of their idea or concept. The resulting business model prevents time and money thrown away of a product that is not yet ready for market introduction.

“We expect to accompany around 5 to 10 startups annually and offer them a kick-start to commercial success. In April the first two cyber security startups will start with the program, Digital-Sentinel and the American startup LegacyArmour. Both promising in the field of data protection,” says Sebastiaan Kors, Director at BW Security Ventures. “Although our higher goal is to strengthen the cyber security sector and thereby increase the digital resilience of the Netherlands.”

Digital future and security

The digital transformation is in full swing. New issues arise, and entrepreneurs see opportunities for innovations. Safety and security plays an important role in this digital world and are becoming increasingly important. “If there is insufficient attention for security and it is not integrated into new digital developments, then it lacks confidence for large-scale applications with significant risks as a possible consequence,” explains Sebastiaan Kors. “This also inhibits innovation and growth.”

“With the arrival of the internet, we did not think about security adequately and the consequences are becoming more and more visible. Thanks to robotisation, innovations like self-driving cars and new technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), private / public clouds and big data, the impact on cybercrime will be greater than we are already experiencing. That is why the digital transformation must go hand in hand with security innovations and ideas to strengthen the digital resilience of the Netherlands, as well as the training and training of qualified (cyber) security personnel.”

Security spin-off van BW Ventures opent kantoor in hét veiligheidscluster van Europa
V.l.n.r.: Joris den Bruijne (HSD), Herman Hartgers (Enterprise Europe Netwerk (EEN) / KvK), Sebastiaan Kors (BW Security Ventures), Philip Meijer en Martijn van Hoogenhuijze (InnovationQuarter) © Daniel Verkijk

BW Security Ventures chooses The Hague

“The security cluster The Hague Security Delta with its HSD Campus is the place-to-be for (cyber) security startups and companies, because of the highly developed ecosystem,” explains Sebastiaan Kors. “BW Ventures already has a branch in Eindhoven, which focuses on e-commerce startups. As we want to be in the midst of where it all happens, the HSD Campus is a logical choice for us to open an office. And through events like the Cyber ​​Security Week organized by HSD, including the Municipality of The Hague and InnovationQuarter, we encounter interesting partners. That is already bearing fruit!”

Strengthen the security cluster together

The arrival of this business accelerator to The Hague was partly due to the close contact with the Enterprise Europe Network, the Chamber of Commerce, HSD and InnovationQuarter. Kors: “Thanks to the good cooperation with these organizations, we can jointly ensure that national and international (cyber) security startups have the best possible kick-start to success. Our acceleration program helps with this, as well as other networks, platforms, accelerators and investment funds focused on cybersecurity. This ecosystem connects the dots.”

Chris van Voorden, Director Foreign Investments at InnovationQuarter: “BW Security Ventures is a new, welcome link in the security cluster and an asset to the West Holland region. During the startup program, attention is paid to the technical feasibility of products, and especially the commercial feasibility is also considered. After 100 days it is clear whether the market needs what the startups have to offer.”