Author Archives: Wayne Horkan

About Wayne Horkan

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

Scaling Cyber: A Startup Founder’s Journey from Idea to Exit

This virtual book is a guide to the entrepreneurial journey, drawn from real-world experiences in cyber startups. It distils insights from my time on the NCSC for Startups accelerator (cohort 13, 2023), the DSIT Cyber Runway Scale programme (2024/2025), and my mentoring on DSIT’s Cyber ASAP programme. It’s a collection of lessons, reflections, and hard-earned knowledge from the founders, investors, and industry leaders I’ve met along the way. Thanks to Marcel Duchamp you can think of it as a “ready made”, a curated work built from my blog articles, assembled to help you navigate the path from startup to scale, and beyond.

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The Ides of March: Reflections on Cyber, Startups, and Scaling Innovation

The Ides of March is a fitting time to reflect on betrayal, resilience, and the realities of UK cybersecurity. In the past two weeks, I’ve balanced DSIT’s Cyber Local funding process, chaired the West Midlands Cyber Working Group (WM CWG), led two funding bids, scaled one startup in a brutal funding climate, and booted up a second from scratch. Along the way, I’ve won the Pitch Battle at Cyber Runway Live, launched the UK’s first dedicated universal cyber risk score and comparison site, and tackled everything from weaponised AI threats to Kafka-powered scalability, all while navigating the messy, unpredictable, and often painful journey of building something that lasts.

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More EdTech Bollocks: The Empty Promises of Technology in Education

Education technology, or EdTech, is often heralded as the saviour of modern learning. From AI tutors and personalised learning platforms to interactive apps and virtual classrooms, we’re told that technology will democratise education, close achievement gaps, and prepare students for the jobs of the future. But despite billions of dollars poured into EdTech solutions, the reality often falls far short of the hype.

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The Renaissance and the Birth of Probability Theory

The Renaissance marked a transformative era of intellectual and scientific discovery, laying the foundations for many modern disciplines. Among its most significant contributions was the birth of probability theory, a mathematical framework that profoundly influenced the field of risk quantification. This period of innovation bridged abstract mathematical inquiry with practical applications, particularly in areas like gambling, insurance, and finance, establishing a systematic approach to understanding uncertainty.

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Exit Strategy 11: Maximising Value During Negotiations: Strategies for a Successful Deal

The negotiation stage of an exit strategy is where the value of your hard work and preparation truly comes to fruition. Securing a favourable deal requires balancing your business’s worth, buyer expectations, and strategic interests. To maximize value, you need to enter negotiations well-prepared, stay focused on key priorities, and employ effective tactics.

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Radia Perlman and the Innovation of STP and OSPF: A Legacy in Networking for International Women’s Day

Radia Perlman, often called the “Mother of the Internet”, revolutionized networking with her Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) and contributions to Open Shortest Path First (OSPF). Her innovations enabled loop-free redundancy in Ethernet networks and fast, scalable routing in modern infrastructure. Beyond STP and OSPF, Perlman has worked on network security, PKI, and TRILL, ensuring the internet remains resilient and efficient. As we celebrate International Women’s Day, recognizing pioneers like Perlman reminds us of the vital role of women in shaping technology.

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More Wearable Tech Bollocks: Empty Promises and Unnecessary Gadgets

Wearable technology is everywhere, from smartwatches and fitness trackers to “revolutionary” health-monitoring rings and smart glasses. Promoted as tools to enhance your health, productivity, and connectivity, these devices promise to be indispensable. But while wearables do have some legitimate uses, the market is oversaturated with overhyped claims, gimmicks, and, frankly, bollocks.

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The Middle Ages: The Role of Commerce and Insurance in Risk Management

The Middle Ages was a period of significant transformation in commerce, trade, and risk management. With the expansion of trade routes and the growing complexity of financial transactions, merchants and traders faced numerous uncertainties, including piracy, shipwrecks, and fluctuating market conditions. These challenges necessitated the development of innovative mechanisms for risk mitigation, many of which laid the foundation for modern financial and insurance systems.

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Exit Strategy 10: Building a Resilient Business: Preparing for Unexpected Exit Opportunities

In business, opportunities often come when you least expect them. An unsolicited offer, an industry consolidation wave, or a sudden market shift could present the perfect moment to exit. However, without preparation, even the best opportunities can slip away. Building a resilient business ensures you’re always ready to capitalize on these moments while maintaining long-term growth and stability.

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More Green Tech Bollocks: Greenwashing, Overpromises, and the Reality of Sustainable Innovation

Green technology is often hailed as the saviour of our planet. From solar panels and electric cars to carbon capture and smart grids, we’re told that innovation will lead us to a cleaner, greener future. While there’s no doubt that technology plays a vital role in addressing climate change, the reality of green tech is often far messier than the marketing suggests.

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Antiquity: Early Intuitions of Risk

Risk, as we understand it today, was not a formalized concept in antiquity. Instead, it was deeply rooted in survival instincts and the need to navigate an unpredictable world. Ancient civilizations relied on rituals, divination, and early forms of governance to mitigate uncertainty and prepare for the unknown. These efforts, though primitive by modern standards, reflect the human desire to manage risks in the face of natural and societal challenges.

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Christian Symbolism in The Mythical Man-Month: Reflections on Faith and Software Engineering

In the world of software engineering, The Mythical Man-Month by Fred Brooks is regarded as a seminal work, a collection of essays reflecting the complexities, challenges, and lessons learned from managing large-scale software development projects. Published in 1975, the book is best known for its contributions to project management theory and software development practices. Despite avoiding superlatives I feel it is the most important book on Computer Systems design and development and that all aspiring technologists should read it. Interestingly, beneath its technical content lies a rich layer of Christian symbolism and theological reflection that often goes unnoticed. This symbolism reflects Brooks’s deeply held Christian beliefs and provides a moral and philosophical framework for understanding the lessons of the book.

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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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