Download Worldbeating cybersecurity from SQR Systems Ltd

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Worldbeating cybersecurity
from SQR Systems Ltd
Elisabetta grew the
business, along with its
founder, from a UK start-up
to a portfolio of companies
with revenues of $0.5 billion
Standing out in the high-tech world
By late 2012, Dr Nithin Thomas, founder and
CEO of SQR, knew that his cyber security
technology had game-changing potential.
Its pioneering software platform combines
encryption and compression to provide
the best and most secure user experience,
regardless of the quality of network
connection. It has application across sectors
– from defence and critical infrastructure
to technology, media and telecoms.
Discipline
Arts & Humanities
Built Environment
Engineering
Laws
Life & Medical Sciences
Mathematical & Physical
Sciences
Social & Historical Sciences
Grand challenges
Global Health
Human Wellbeing
Intercultural Interaction
Sustainable Cities
Mechanism
Business Support
Consultancy
Placements
Licence
Partnerships
Public Outreach
Research Collaborations
& Studentships
Spin-outs
Student Engagement
Subsidiary
For more information see:
www.ucl.ac.uk/enterprise
Nithin, however, knew that his startup was lacking experience in growth
strategy and management. “We had
the technology, the customers and the
revenues, but we were coming at it from
an engineer’s perspective,” he says. So he
and his team turned to UCL to help them
find a mentor who could fill the gap.
Just the right fit
Elisabetta Zaccaria has a track record of
over 10 years of board-level experience
in the security and technology sectors.
She currently covers advisory roles in the
UK cyber security sector. Prior to that she
was the Group Chief Operating Officer &
Chief Strategy Officer of Global Strategies
Group, an organisation with expertise in
three areas of capability – cyber security,
data management, mission critical
systems and services. In just a few years,
Elisabetta grew the business, along with its
founder, from a UK start-up to a portfolio of
companies with revenues of $0.5 billion and
operations in UK, US, MENA and APAC.
“Being an entrepreneur isn’t easy. It’s a
unique journey that requires a lot of courage
and stamina. I’ve been there and I’d like to
think I understand what it takes and can offer
my experience and support when it gets
tough, as well as have the privilege to share
their great moments,”says Elisabetta. SQR
were the perfect match. “We were looking
for tech experience plus defence or security
sector expertise,” says Nithin. “It was a
rare combination – and Elisabetta had it.”
A huge contribution
Her own wealth of experience in building a
business meant she could empathise with
Nithin and give just the right kind of guidance.
“I focused equally on developing
Nithin’s hard and soft skills.
Self-management skills and
people skills are usually
the areas where first-time
entrepreneurs struggle the
most,” she says.
She also raised SQR’s profile on zero
budget, using her knowledge of the
industry and generous introductions to
her networks. She helped it compete
for – and win – awards, and positioned it
to head into the commercial sector with
a stronger back office, a firmer sense of
leadership and a higher-profile brand.
Ready to fly
Its innovative cyber security technology
makes SQR a company with great potential.
Now, thanks to Elisabetta’s mentorship, it’s in
a great position to maximise on its business
opportunities. “And there are many plans
to come,” says Nithin, confirming that their
working relationship will continue to flourish.
About us
About UCL
UCL (University College London) was
established in 1826 and is ranked as
one of the world’s top-ten universities.
The university is a modern, outwardlooking institution, with more than 4,000
academic and research staff committed
to engaging with the major issues of our
times. It has a global reach, with 34%
of its students coming from outside the
UK, from almost 140 countries.
www.ucl.ac.uk
About UCL Advances
UCL Advances, UCL’s centre for
entrepreneurship and business
interaction, helps anyone who wants to
learn about, start or grow a business.
Its primary role is to promote a culture
of entrepreneurship on campus and
engagement with entrepreneurs and
small businesses beyond UCL’s
boundaries. It works to support start-ups
and small businesses across London
by helping them to access the technical
and business expertise of UCL’s
staff and students through a series of
programmes to help support ambitious
young companies.
UCL Advances is affiliated with UCL
Enterprise, which provides UCL’s
structures for engaging with business for
commercial and societal benefit.
www.ucl.ac.uk/advances
www.ucl.ac.uk/enterprise
About Business Support
UCL Advances provides direct business
support for internal and external
organisations through a variety of
programmes and activities such as
1–1 advice, problem solving through
student consultancy, student internships,
mentoring and others.
• We help London-based businesses
grow and develop by analysing
business needs and connecting them
to relevant interventions such as
industry mentors;
• Through pairing teams of UCL
and LBS students with businesses
we deliver short-term consultancy
projects addressing specific
organisation needs;
• We broker relationships and fund
exchanges between new and aspiring
entrepreneurs with experienced
entrepreneurs in another member
state of the European Union;
• Individual angel investors connected
to UCL provide seed investment to
SMEs engaged with UCL Advances
programmes; and
• We offer fully funded SME Internships
where UCL students spend eight
weeks in a London SME working
alongside the director(s) to deliver real
results and lasting impact in the host
organisation whilst learning
about enterprise.
www.ucl.ac.uk/advances/
business/support
For more information see:
www.ucl.ac.uk/enterprise