Competition to find the best security start-ups enters third year

Funding Opportunity

Start-ups specialising in security products and applications are invited to take part in the Global Security Challenge (GSC), an international security innovation competition that gives companies the opportunity to showcase their inventions and compete for over $500,000 in cash grants.

Now in its third year, GSC aims to identify, explore and foster innovation in the field of homeland security. The competition was established in 2006 by London Business School students.

Janeen Chupa, Co-President of the GSC said the number of entries to the competition has increased each year, with the entrants, “gaining access to a deep network of government, venture capital and corporate organisations as well as academics.”

He added, “Technological innovation is the key to staying ahead of the threat to international security posed by terrorism.  However, innovation doesn’t always come from large established players.”

The winners of the first two GSC competitions, Ingenia Technology and NoblePeak both reported substantial new investments, growth and further development of their security technologies since winning the award.

Cliff King, founder of NoblePeak Vision said, “Customer interest in our night vision technology soared from the publicity we received after winning the 2007 GSC. As a direct result we are now developing new camera systems with major OEMs and systems integrators.”

The mission of the GSC is to stimulate technological innovations that make airports, cities and enterprises safer without encroaching on civil liberties. The competition is supported by Accenture, BAE Systems, CapVista, Microsoft, ONR Global, PegasusBridge Fund Management, SAIC, Smiths Detection, TSWG, and the US Department of Homeland Security.

The partner universities are the University of Maryland, National University of Singapore, and London Business School.