GSC in the News Roundup

The Global Security Challenge received great press coverage in the past few weeks. Here is a quick summary with a few soundbites:

Mission for James Bond's Q: seek venture capital ´

"...MBA students at London Business School staged the inaugural security challenge last year, when British start-up Ingenia Technology took the $10,000 first prize for an anti-counterfeit laser-scanning device. Such was interest in the competition that the U.S. government's Technical Support Working Group raised this year's prize to $500,000"

(by Mark Trevelyan, Reuters, 26.11.2007) Click here for full story

Business Competitions - Where Big Ideas Bring Big Bucks

"Specifically designed to help start-ups in the booming post-September 11 security field, the second annual competition increased the prize money from $10,000 to $500,000 (thanks to the Technical Support Working Group at the U.S. Defense Dept.) making it "the biggest business plan competition in the world ..."

(by Alina Dizik, November 2007) Click here for full story

The Global Security Challenge

"The Technical Support Working Group, a technology coordinating organization co-chaired by the U.S. Departments of State and Defense, is a co-sponsor of the Global Security Challenge (GSC), a competition managed by MBA students at London Business School..."

(Office of the Spokesman, November 6, 2007) Click here for full story

Some of the GSC Startups Mentioned in the Press Recently:

"iViz, recognized as one of the Asia's top 5 security startups in the Global Security Challenge held by London Business School in September 2007," (Red Herring, January 2008)

"NoblePeak Vision Win’s Grand Final of Global Security Challenge 2007" (Security Magazine, November 2007)

GSC Tutorial

Well I hope those of you who attended the 2nd annual GSC Grand Final enjoyed it as much as I did! For those of you who were unable to attend, but want to know more about the GSC I thought it was time for a quick GSC tutorial:

Who enters this kind of thing??
This year, 42% of these innovations originated from universities, 12% are corporate spin-outs and 29% came from unaffiliated entrepreneurs working out of their "garages".

Is it worth my while to enter (i.e. what happened to the Finalists from GSC 2006)?
Short answer: Yes. Long answer: If you have a good, innovative technology that can help protect people then you should most definitely enter the GSC. I think you can see from the below information on the companies that entered the 2006 competition that great things have been happening for them.

• Ingenia Technology received a significant contract from a US Federal Law Enforcement agency and launched a partnership with Bayer AG in Germany. "Ingenia Technology experienced a phenomenal year since winning the 1st Global Security Challenge in 2006." (Mark McGlade of Ingenia)
• Vumii acquired new customers, such as the US Navy and the US Dept of Energy. They raised $3.9m in funds and established reseller relationships with SAIC, amongst others. "As a direct result from our participation in the GSC, Vumii acquired increased global credibility and benefited from greater global brand recognition from the investment community, security solution community, and potential employee population." (Randall Foster of Vumii)
• TIRF received two new US government contracts, they are now talking with VCs for fundraising and Smiths Detection is currently evaluating their technology.
• ScanWalk is further advancing its biometric solution.
• Secerno was named one of Europe's Top-100 startup companies by RedHerring this year. They've established a partnership with KDDI and signed a major deal with expressHR.

How can I give my business a chance to earn international acclaim?
We will announce the opening of next year’s competition at our website (http://www.globalsecuritychallenge.com/) or you can also register for our Newsletter - which is a great way to stay involved and see when the deadlines/application forms for the GSC 2008 will become available.

What if I want to sponsor or speak at next year’s conference?
If you are interested in becoming more involved in any of the GSC conferences please email us at gsc2008@globalsecuritychallenge.com.

What if I think the salmon was overcooked at this year’s conference – who can I complain to? Who can I talk to about great ideas I have for next year?
We always love to get feedback. In the coming weeks, we are reflecting on this year's event and discussing the next steps for ensuring continued success of the Global Security Challenge. We are also connecting our startup entrants and tracking their growth paths. If you have any comments and suggestions how we can further improve the GSC, please email us your opinion and write SPAM in the message line. Just kidding, we really do want your comments…so please start the bombardment!

Next Generation Night-Vision Technology Wins the Global Security Challenge 2007

NoblePeak Vision was awarded a $500,000 grant sponsored by TSWG of the U.S. Government and mentorship with Paladin Capital Group for winning the 2nd annual Global Security Challenge today.

Founded in 2002 as a spin-out from Bell Laboratories, NoblePeak Vision from Massachusetts in the USA has developed a new generation of video surveillance camera cores and components with breakthrough night vision performance. These products are based on TriWaveTM, a revolutionary image sensor technology that enables the rapid detection and identification of people and objects in zero ambient lighting conditions.

Jeff David, the Deputy Director of the Technical Support Working Group (TSWG) at the U.S. Department of Defense and Chairman of the GSC Judging Committee said: “Security has no boundaries. To ensure the safety of our world, it is critical to identify the most innovative security technologies by applying a global perspective. We are glad to sponsor the grant award for the winner of the Global Security Challenge to further encourage innovators worldwide to continue to act on their dreams.”

A Worldwide Competition:
Before coming to London, the five finalists had already made it through two rounds of judging. The last of which were regional competitions held with universities in Washington DC, Singapore and Munich. The other four finalists this year have developed technologies that can identify people through biometric analysis of how they type, scan the eye to assess a person’s health, protect against multiple explosions, and recognize faces despite changing light, facial expressions and the presence or absence of beards, moustaches or spectacles.

The Judging Committee of the GSC Grand Final 2007:
• Jeff David - Deputy Director of TSWG at the U.S. Department of Defense;
• Stephen Bonner - Director of Risk Management at Barclays;
• Gian Brown - President of the SAIC Venture Capital Corporation;
• Dr. Alastair MacWillson - Managing Partner of Global Security Practice at Accenture; and
• Jon Wills - Security & Resilience Programmes Director at BAE Systems.

TSWG of US Government sponsors $500K grant for winner of Global Security Challenge 2007

Sponsor of the $500k grant: TSWG of US Government
This year’s grant for the winning entrepreneur of the Global Security Challenge is sponsored by the Technical Support Working Group (TSWG), an interagency group of the U.S. Government, based in Washington DC.

TSWG is the U.S. national forum that identifies, prioritizes, and coordinates interagency and international research and development (R&D) requirements for combating terrorism. The TSWG rapidly develops technologies and equipment to meet the high priority needs of the combating terrorism community, and addresses joint international operational requirements through cooperative R&D with major allies. (http://www.tswg.gov/)

Read today's media note by the U.S. State Department on TSWG and the GSC here

GSC Keynote Speaker: Honorable Lee Buchanan

We are honored to announce that the Honorable H. Lee Buchanan will deliver the morning keynote address of the Global Security Challenge 2007. Mr. Buchanan is replacing Lt. General Minihan, who had to cancel his trip to London as our keynote speaker due to personal reasons. Join us on Thursday at the Hotel Russell for the Grand Final conference.


Honorable H. Lee Buchanan
Former Assistant Secretary for Research, Development and Acquisition
United States Navy

The Honorable H. Lee Buchanan, PhD, former Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition, responsible for all research development and procurement of defense systems for the Navy and the Marine Corps. Dr. Buchanan also served as the Deputy Director of the Defense Advanced Research Agency (DARPA) in the role of Chief Operating Officer for the central Research and Development organization for the Department of Defense. There he directed a multibillion-dollar program of basic and applied research conducted by industry, universities and national/military laboratories.

Profiles of the Top-5 Startups. Today: XID-Technology

In a short series, we are profiling the 5 finalists that will present at the Grand Final of the Global Security Challenge 2007 on November 8th in London. The fifth part of the series today presents XID.


XID Technology – Singapore

XID, a ‘Face Technology’ company incorporated in 2003 in Singapore, targets the Security and Media Markets. It is the inventor of the patented and award-winning ‘Face synthesis technology for face recognition’. XID has deployed the world largest outdoor face recognition system for foreign blue collar workers. The portfolio includes face detection, face recognition, real-time face appearances prediction from a single photo (synthesis), 3D face modelling, 3D face animation and 3D face replacement in a 2D video.

Profiles of the Top-5 Startups. Today: Psylock

In a short series, we are profiling the 5 finalists that will present at the Grand Final of the Global Security Challenge 2007 on November 8th in London. The fourth of the series today presents Psylock.

Psylock – Germany
Psylock provides a unique biometric technology that authenticates computer users securely on any computer, without requiring hardware or installation and with very precise recognition rates. Each user is authenticated by the specific way he or she types at a common computer keyboard. The analysis not only validates dependant parameters, like the speed and rhythm of typing which can vary depending on the circumstances, but also stable parameters of typing like left- or right-handedness, typical typing mistakes, correction methods and more. The result is calculated based on complex statistical models and artificial intelligence.

Profiles of the Top-5 Startups. Today: NoblePeak Vision

In a short series, we will profile the 5 finalists that will present at the Grand Final of the Global Security Challenge 2007 on November 8th in London. The third of the series today presents NoblePeak Vision.

NoblePeak Vision – USA

NoblePeak Vision provides camera core and imager products that are sensitive over the visible to short-wave infrared (SWIR) spectrum and that provide breakthrough night vision performance with applications in the security, transportation and defense markets. NoblePeak’s unique integrated approach allows the entire infrared image sensor to be manufactured in a standard silicon process line, yielding never before achieved reliability and economics. Founded in 2002, NoblePeak Vision is a private company funded by Matrix Partners and North Bridge Venture Partners. The company is headquartered in Wakefield, Massachusetts.

Profiles of the Top-5 Startups. Today: EyeMarker Systems

In a short series, we will profile the 5 finalists that will present at the Grand Final of the Global Security Challenge 2007 on November 8th in London. The second of the series today is EyeMarker.

EyeMarker Systems – USA

EyeMarker Systems is an emerging company committed to the commercialization of innovative ocular screening technology. The expertise found within EyeMarker, combined with that of its partners and collaborative research institutions, provides a solid foundation for the development of an Ocular Scanning Device to benefit the Defense, Emergency response, Homeland Security and Clinical medicine markets. EyeMarker Systems was founded in 2001 and established headquarters and research capabilities in Morgantown, West Virginia, in close proximity of West Virginia University and the WVU Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center.

Profiles of the Top-5 Startups. Today: Auxetix

In a short series, we will profile the 5 finalists that will present at the Grand Final of the Global Security Challenge 2007 on November 8th in London. Starting the series today is Auxetix.

Auxetix Ltd –United Kingdom

The Auxetix blast mitigation fabrics use a completely new kind of technology that provides enhanced multiple-event protection for windows by exploiting the unusual behaviour of the helicalauxetic system. The fabrics, which are composed of large numbers of thin high-strength fibres wrapped around elastomeric cores, can also be used to line military vehicles and aircraft, enhance body armours, in transportation crates, and for the protection of stored ordnance.

The technology responds to a blast by expanding which allows a blast front to pass through the material slowing it down and reducing its capacity to kill or injure.