Rupert Cook

London, UK

Chief Strategy Officer

Immersive Labs

Biography

Rupert Cook is Chief Strategy Officer of Immersive Labs, a cyber-learning platform for businesses and their staff. He is also Chairman of the Investment Committee and Non-Executive Director of BSC VCT PLC.

Rupert has experienced technology businesses from every angle over the last 30 years. He was one of the founding team to build up an IT Training and Development business from scratch in the late '80s, through to sale to a UK PLC eight years later. Since then, he has bought and sold technology businesses both as a principal and for clients around the world. He has carried out numerous commercial due diligence exercises for banks and private equity companies, run fund-raisings for and sat on the boards of over a dozen innovative technology businesses and also acted on the other side of the fence as a venture capital investor. Rupert has built up particular experience and knowledge in the security software sector over the last seventeen years, having been an advisor to AVG and Malwarebytes in their early stages and more recently has made investments in six security companies.

Rupert is an entrepreneurial leader and advisor, a business & corporate development professional with a strong network in the European Technology sector. He is also the author of two published business books and a frequent public speaker on Technology Company Growth and Value Realisation.

Rupert Cook’s Newsfeed

Computer Business Review

Digital Shadows and Immersive Labs Team Up on Threat Intelligence

Two leading UK cybersecurity startups have joined forces today in a move that will make Digital Shadows’ threat intelligence data available within hours on Immersive Labs gamified training platform. The partnership will allow users of Immersive Labs (founded in 2017 by an ex-GCHQ security trainer and backed by Robert Hannigan, former Director of GCHQ) to hone their skills on near to real-time emerging threats.

The Telegraph

Immersive Labs, a Bristol-based startup founded by a former GCHQ researcher, raises $8m

A technology startup founded by a former employee of British spy agency GCHQ has raised $8m (£6.2m) in investment from Goldman Sachs and other investors. Immersive Labs, which is headquartered in Bristol, runs online training sessions for people to learn about cybersecurity in order to help companies defend themselves against hackers.

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Rupert Cook’s Background

Immersive Labs

Chief Strategy Officer

May 2018 - Present

Bristol, UK

Immersive Labs helps its customers identify, recruit, upskill & retain cyber security talent through their game-changing labs environment. Spinup over 300 labs on topics including SOC Analysis, Malware Analysis & Ethical Hacking through a browser, anywhere, anytime without specialist software or plug-ins.

British Smaller Companies VCT PLC

Non-Executive Director

Aug 2017 - Present

London, UK

BSC’s objective is to provide investors with an attractive long-term tax free dividend yield whilst seeking to maintain and build the capital value of their investment and maintain the Company’s status as a venture capital trust.

Other Business Interests

CensorNet Ltd

Shareholder

Oct 2015 - Present

London, UK

With award-winning cloud-based security software CensorNet bring security & flexibility to global customers. From the point of user access to deep granular application transparency & control, our software helps organizations embrace the cloud without compromising security or frustrating users.

Book: Selling Your Technology Company for Maximum Value

Author

This book gives honest, practical advice for executives and shareholders of technology businesses on how to prepare their businesses and how to manage and optimise the sale process through to a successful completion for maximum value.

Current Non-Executive Positions

Operatix

Non-Executive Director

Mar 2012 - Present

London, UK

Operatix, a Sales Transformation company, works with Executive Teams of leading enterprises to increase the return on the investment made in sales & marketing. Through alignment of resources, processes and communications, Operatix delivers a dramatic increase in sales results within existing markets & accelerates growth in new markets.

Previous Non-Executive Positions

Red Penguin Ventures

Non-Executive Chairman

Nov 2015 - Dec 2018

London, UK

Red Penguin Ventures is both an investor & advisor, working with extraordinary people to maximise the value of its portfolio technology companies & clients in Europe & the US. Specialising in cyber security & other highly scalable B2B and B2C technologies.

Rupert Cook’s Education

Eton College