Plexal2027 deadline, funding, equity and how to apply
Innovation company and workspace at Here East, Stratford, opened in 2017. Ran the UK's largest cyber accelerator, Cyber Runway, which concluded in 2026.
- No cash investment
- Funding
- No equity
- Equity
- Ongoing workspace membership
- Program length
- Dates TBA
- Applications
About Plexal
Plexal is an innovation company and workspace in London. It opened in June 2017 inside Here East, the former Olympic press and broadcast centre in Stratford. The founding CEO was Claire Cockerton, and the business was set up with backing from clients of property investor Delancey.
It is not a classic accelerator and does not invest. Plexal sells innovation services to government and industry, runs workspace in Stratford and Shoreditch, and delivers publicly funded programs. Its best-known program was Cyber Runway, funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.
Plexal called it the largest cyber accelerator in the UK. Members kept 100% of their equity and IP and paid nothing. The fifth edition supported 48 startups across five streams.
In July 2026 Plexal confirmed that Cyber Runway has concluded. Across its run it reported 349 cohort members, 48% based outside London, and over 200 million pounds raised. Plexal now focuses on security and national security work.
It is a partner in the Laboratory for AI Security Research (LASR), runs co-creation challenges with HMGCC, and since April 2026 has been a Home Office ACE delivery partner with PA Consulting. Saj Huq became CEO in 2026, succeeding Andrew Roughan. For startups today, the main entry points are workspace membership and LASR cohorts when they open.
What Plexal looks for
Plexal's current programs favour cyber security, AI security and national security companies with a product that public buyers or large firms can deploy. LASR cohorts are themed, so fit with the challenge matters most. HMGCC co-creation looks for engineering teams able to deliver a demonstrator in a fixed time. Cyber Runway placed weight on diversity and regional spread: 34% of its members were female-led and 48% were based outside London.
How the Plexal program works
Plexal no longer runs an open, recurring startup accelerator. Its offer to startups now comes in three forms. Workspace membership gives desks and offices at Here East in Stratford or in Shoreditch, plus events and a community of startups, scaleups, corporates, government and academia.
Mission programs are run for public clients. LASR has run themed cohorts, for example an AI supply chain security cohort announced in February 2026 with Mind Foundry, Secure Agentics and Tikos Technologies. HMGCC co-creation funds time-limited demonstrator projects on national security engineering problems.
Plexal has also sold a paid Growth Partnership service since April 2025. A third-party summary of its brochure lists 2,000 pounds a month excluding VAT with a six-month minimum. Cyber Runway, the free and equity-free accelerator, has ended.
How to apply to Plexal
- 1Check the Open Applications section on plexal.com for live LASR or HMGCC calls.
- 2For workspace, contact Plexal about desks or offices at Here East, Stratford, or Workspace Shoreditch.
- 3For security programs, prepare evidence of a product that answers a stated government or AI security challenge.
- 4For one-to-one growth support, book the free consultation that starts the paid Growth Partnership.
- 5Follow Plexal news for any successor to Cyber Runway, since none has been announced.
Startup perks after acceptance
Accelerator startups qualify for most startup credit programs. These are the ones founders claim first.
Notable Plexal alumni
Companies that went through or were backed by Plexal.
Plexal vs similar accelerators
| Program | Funding | Equity | Location | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plexal | No cash investment | No equity | London | Next deadline not announced yet |
| Conception X | Up to $390K | No equity | London | December 6, 2026 (40 days left) |
| Barclays Eagle Labs | No cash investment | No equity | London | November 20, 2026 (24 days left) |
| Level39 | No cash investment | No equity | London | Rolling admissions |
| Creative Destruction Lab | No cash investment | No equity | 17 sites including Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Seattle, London, Paris, Berlin, Melbourne | Next deadline not announced yet |
| Seedcamp | Up to $1.3M | Varies | London, UK | Rolling admissions |
Plexal FAQ
When is the Plexal application deadline?+
Plexal has not announced its next deadline yet (No open startup cohort; Cyber Runway concluded in 2026). We check the official site every month and update this page when dates are published.
Is Cyber Runway still running?+
No. In a July 2026 article Plexal said Cyber Runway has concluded. It was funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and was free, with members keeping all equity and IP. Across its run Plexal reports 349 cohort members who raised over 200 million pounds.
Does Plexal take equity or invest?+
No. Plexal does not invest in startups. Cyber Runway took no equity, fees or IP. Today Plexal earns from workspace, innovation services for government and industry, and a paid Growth Partnership that a third-party summary prices at 2,000 pounds a month for at least six months.
Where is Plexal based?+
Plexal's main campus is in the Press Centre at Here East on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford, east London. It opened there in June 2017 in a space of about 68,000 square feet. Plexal also runs Workspace Shoreditch and hosts innovation services in Manchester and Cheltenham.
What programs can startups join at Plexal now?+
Startups can rent workspace, apply to themed cohorts of the Laboratory for AI Security Research (LASR) when they open, or join HMGCC co-creation challenges on national security engineering. Live calls appear in the Open Applications section of plexal.com. No replacement for Cyber Runway has been announced.
Sources: plexal.com, plexal.com, plexal.com, plexal.com, plexal.com, yespress.io