Author Archives: Wayne Horkan

About Wayne Horkan

I’m a technologist and engineer, typically working in enterprise architecture and systems engineering.

Exit Strategy 9: Exit Strategies for Specific Industries: Tailoring Your Approach to Sector Dynamics

No two industries are alike, and the same holds true for exit strategies. Buyers in different sectors prioritize unique metrics, value drivers, and risk factors, which means your exit plan must align with the dynamics of your specific industry. Whether you’re in technology, healthcare, retail, or manufacturing, understanding these nuances can significantly enhance your valuation and attract the right buyers.

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The Risks of Self-Hosting DeepSeek: Ethical Controls, Criminal Facilitation, and Manipulative Potential

Self-hosting advanced AI models like DeepSeek grant unparalleled control but poses severe risks if ethical constraints are removed. With relatively simple modifications, users can disable safeguards, enabling AI to assist in cybercrime, fraud, terrorism, and psychological manipulation. Such models could automate hacking, facilitate gaslighting, and fuel disinformation campaigns. The open-source AI community must balance innovation with security, while policymakers must consider regulations to curb AI misuse in self-hosted environments before it becomes an uncontrollable threat.

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More Data Privacy Bollocks: Myths, Missteps, and Misleading Promises

Data privacy is a hot topic in the modern age, with tech companies, governments, and advocacy groups all claiming to take it seriously. From GDPR compliance banners to promises of “end-to-end encryption,” the message is clear: your data is safe and secure. Or is it? Beneath the glossy surface of privacy pledges lies a mess of contradictions, loopholes, and outright bollocks.

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A History of Risk Quantification

Risk quantification, the practice of measuring and assessing uncertainties, has evolved over centuries, reflecting humanity’s growing desire to understand and mitigate the uncertainties of life. From ancient times to the modern era, the tools, techniques, and philosophies behind this discipline have shaped decision-making, commerce, and science. Here is a brief history of risk quantification, starting with its origins in antiquity.

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FoundersCatalyst vs SeedLegals and Crowdcube: Why FoundersCatalyst Stands Out for Your Seed Round

When it comes to raising your first seed round, founders have several options. SeedLegals offers affordable legal documentation for private rounds, while Crowdcube helps consumer-facing startups gain exposure and funds through its crowdfunding platform. However, neither of these fully matches the value, flexibility, and innovation offered by FoundersCatalyst.

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Exit Strategy 8: The Role of Advisors in Exit Planning: Why You Need Expert Guidance

Navigating the complexities of an exit strategy is no small feat. From preparing for due diligence to negotiating deal terms, the process requires expertise, foresight, and meticulous attention to detail. This is where advisors come in. Engaging the right advisors can make the difference between a smooth, successful exit and a drawn-out, suboptimal outcome.

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More Space Bollocks: The Overhyped Promises of Space Tourism and Colonisation

Space: the final frontier—or the final source of hyperbolic tech nonsense. From billionaires launching themselves into orbit to grand visions of Mars colonisation, space has become the playground of the ultra-wealthy and a hotbed of overhyped promises. While the idea of humanity reaching for the stars is undeniably inspiring, much of what we hear about space tourism, colonisation, and asteroid mining is pure fantasy—or, to put it bluntly, bollocks.

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Perspectives on M&A with Frazer Nash – Insights from 13th February 2025

Ollie Dammone from Frazer Nash Consultancy joined Cyber Runway Scale to provide insights into M&A from a buyer’s perspective. He discussed due diligence, valuation, and integration challenges, offering founders a realistic view of the acquisition process in the cybersecurity sector.

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Hiring and Recruitment Session: Key Insights from Joel Hughes of InfoSec People – 12th February 2025

This Cyber Runway Scale session explored strategic hiring for cybersecurity startups, focusing on team expansion, recruitment challenges, and building a strong company culture. Joel Hughes, of InfoSec People, discussed attracting top talent, scaling teams efficiently, and fostering diversity in the cyber sector.

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Exploring the Interplay, Similarities, and Differences between Autism, Asperger Syndrome, and ADHD, Comparing Them to Neurotypicality: A Comprehensive Analysis

This article explores the nuanced interplay between Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Asperger Syndrome, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), comparing their shared traits, differences, and their contrasts with neurotypicality. It delves into the unique challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals, including the pressure to conform to neurotypical norms, such as reading facial expressions, which can feel unnatural and burdensome. The article highlights key similarities, such as sensory sensitivities and executive functioning challenges, while distinguishing between hyperfocus in ADHD and intense interest in Asperger’s, emphasising the role of above-average intelligence in the latter. By focusing on strengths and fostering inclusivity, it advocates for greater understanding and tailored support for neurodivergent individuals.

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Lessons from Founders Fireside with Rupert Cook: Fearlessness, Charisma, and Knowing When to Pivot

Rupert Cook joined the Cyber Runway Scale Founders Fireside to discuss his entrepreneurial journey and share insights on navigating the cybersecurity landscape. Topics included fundraising, product-market fit, and leadership lessons learned while building a successful cyber business.

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Rethinking Autism: The Evidence Behind Milton’s Double Empathy Theory

Milton’s Double Empathy Theory, developed by Damian Milton in 2012, challenges the traditional “empathy deficit” model of autism. Rather than seeing autistic individuals as lacking empathy, it argues that communication difficulties between autistic and non-autistic people arise from a reciprocal empathy gap, where both groups struggle to understand each other’s perspectives due to differences in communication and social experience.

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Exit Strategy 7: Avoiding Common Exit Strategy Mistakes: Lessons from the Trenches

Planning and executing a business exit is a complex process, and even the most seasoned entrepreneurs can stumble. Mistakes during this critical phase can delay the sale, reduce valuation, or even derail the entire transaction. The good news? Most of these errors are avoidable with proper preparation and foresight.

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Guide to Masking for People without Asperger Syndrome (or ASD)

Masking, at its core, is a kind of impersonation, not to deceive, but to adapt. Everyone does it to some degree, but for people with Asperger’s or ASD, it becomes a survival tool, a way to navigate a neurotypical world that feels alien at times. It’s not about being fake; it’s about blending in, building connections, or simply staying safe.

“We’re all impersonating a personality.” Jean-Paul Sartre (allegedly)

In this guide, I’ll explore the reality of masking, the principles behind doing it well, and the risks it carries. This is a firsthand account from someone with ASD who has learned how to mask, sometimes too well, and the lessons I’ve taken from years of experience, including moments where the mask inevitably slipped.

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Cyber, Digital, and Tech: Understanding the West Midlands Perspective

In the West Midlands, the definitions and boundaries of Cyber, Digital, and Tech are more than just academic semantics; they influence policy, investment decisions, and how the region positions itself on the national and global stage. While the rest of the UK and many parts of the world have moved towards recognising cyber as a distinct and critical sector, in the West Midlands, it still largely sits within the broader digital and technology categories.

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More Autonomous Vehicle Bollocks: The Overhyped Journey to Self-Driving Cars

Autonomous vehicles (AVs) have been sold as the ultimate transportation revolution, promising safer roads, efficient travel, and even the end of human driving. From Tesla’s Autopilot to Waymo’s robo-taxis, we’ve been told for years that full self-driving cars are just around the corner. But despite billions of dollars in investment and countless headlines, the dream of autonomous vehicles remains more hype than reality.

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Asperger’s Syndrome and the Skepticism towards Social Science: A Personal Perspective

From the outside looking in, the world of social science – particularly concepts like personality types – can appear fascinating and revelatory. However, for many individuals with Asperger’s Syndrome (part of the broader autism spectrum), these structures can sometimes feel like contrived categorizations. This isn’t to say that all those with Asperger’s share this sentiment, but a segment does find it challenging to relate to these constructs. Let’s delve into why, using myself as a template and lens.

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Exit Strategy 6: Preparing for Premium Multiples: How to Command the Best Valuation for Your Business

Securing a premium valuation multiple is the holy grail of exit planning. Buyers and investors are willing to pay higher multiples for businesses that demonstrate resilience, scalability, and growth potential. However, achieving a premium valuation requires more than just strong financials; it involves proactively addressing key value drivers and avoiding common pitfalls.

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More Smart Home Bollocks: The Overhyped Promises of Connected Living

Smart homes are supposed to be the future: refrigerators that order your groceries, thermostats that adjust themselves, and lights that follow your every command. Tech companies love to sell the dream of a connected, automated home that makes life easier, safer, and more convenient. But scratch the surface, and you’ll find a world full of broken promises, compatibility issues, and unnecessary gadgets.

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