The most rewarding aspect of my career so far has been the journey of building CybPass from scratch as an international student in the UK.

What is your career path like since graduation?

After graduating with a BSc in Computer Science from the University of Sheffield, I was invited by Dr. Pronsata to continue as a volunteer researcher in the Security of Advanced Systems Group. This opportunity came after he recognised the quality of my dissertation work. During this time, I was able to strengthen my research skills, immerse myself in cutting-edge projects, and build a close working relationship with Dr. Aryan Pasikhani, who would later become my co-founder.

Motivated by a desire to combine technical knowledge with business expertise, I pursued a Master’s degree in Marketing at the London School of Economics (LSE). Between 2022 and 2023, I became heavily involved in London’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, competing in multiple startup competitions hosted by leading institutions. Projects I led achieved strong results, including:

• Third Prize at Imperial College Social Impact Day 2023
• Semi-finalist at the LSE Startup Competition 2022
• Quarter-finalist at the Mayor of London’s Entrepreneur Competition 2022

Before completing my Master’s, Dr. Aryan approached me with his technical concept, and I decided to join him as Commercial Lead from day one. Together, we enrolled in the Innovate UK Cyber Academic Startup Accelerator Programme (Cohort 7, July 2023 – March 2024). Over the course of the programme, we successfully passed every phase and secured £100k in total grant funding.

When the programme concluded, we faced the challenge of having no immediate funding. Rather than stepping back, Aryan and I chose to bootstrap CybPass without financial support. This was a defining moment in my journey, as I took on the role of CEO and embraced leadership responsibilities fully. Over the next nine months, I led market discovery efforts, identified target industries, built significant customer relationships, and established the commercial potential of our technology.

My leadership and commitment were later recognised through two key awards: the UKRI EPSRC IAA Commercialisation Fellowship and the University of Sheffield IPDaC funding. These supported me in formally leading the spin-out of CybPass from the University of Sheffield. With this foundation, I assembled the founding team, pitched successfully to Northern Gritstone’s DeepTech Lab, and was selected into their accelerator programme. Today, we are in the process of raising our seed investment round to scale CybPass into a global leader in AI security

What is the most rewarding aspect of your current role or your greatest career achievement so far?

The most rewarding aspect of my career so far has been the journey of building CybPass from scratch as an international student in the UK. Coming from a different cultural and language background, I initially faced the challenges that many international students experience, not only the difficulty of securing a job in the UK, but also the much bigger challenge of founding a business with real global potential.

Within just two years, I was able to transform an early concept into a University of Sheffield spin-out with my co-founder. Leading CybPass through this journey has been both my greatest challenge and my proudest achievement. Along the way, I was honoured to receive recognition such as the Global Youth Parliament Leadership Award, the EPSRC IAA Commercialisation Fellowship, and the IPDaC funding from the University of Sheffield.

As CEO, I have guided CybPass to success in the Innovate UK Cyber Academic Startup Accelerator (Cohort 7), secured £200k ASA investment from Northern Gritstone, and won a place in the NG Studios DeepTech Lab accelerator. We were also selected for several prestigious recognitions, including the Onstage Top 100 2025, Santander X UK Award Top 70 (University Category), and the NVIDIA Inception Programme.

For me, the greatest reward is not just these achievements, but the opportunity to demonstrate that international students can overcome barriers and lead cutting-edge ventures. To take CybPass from concept to a high-potential, recognised business in such a short time has been an extraordinary journey, and one I am determined to keep building upon.

Thinking back to your degree, how did it prepare you for your current role?

My Computer Science degree at Sheffield taught me how to think like an engineer—how to break down complex problems into smaller parts and then build solutions step by step. This way of thinking has been invaluable in my journey as an entrepreneur. Running a business often feels like tackling an enormous challenge, but by applying the same structured approach, I have been able to divide big goals into manageable tasks and drive steady progress.

Beyond problem-solving skills, the deep knowledge in AI and cybersecurity that I gained through my degree gave me a strong technical foundation. This not only shaped my confidence in understanding advanced technologies but also equipped me to communicate our vision effectively to customers and investors. Having both the technical insight and the ability to translate it into commercial value has been critical in leading CybPass from an idea to a University spin-out and beyond.

Advice to Sheffield Students

Don’t believe everything you see on TikTok, Instagram Reels, or from influencers claiming that success comes easily. Real success is not instant—most people only show the results, not the process. Only by putting in the hard work yourself will you truly understand what you are building and find your place.

Opportunities in the real world won’t wait for you. Take action first, then improve along the way. Just like your coursework, the first draft is never perfect, but without it, there can never be a final submission. This mindset helped me and my co-founder bootstrap CybPass for nine months before we secured funding.

Finally, don’t just focus on your studies. Build relationships and connections during your time at university, because they may one day become the support that shapes your career.

Advice to younger students interested in studying engineering at Sheffield?

My advice to younger students is to remember that engineering is not just about becoming an engineer, it is the foundation of building anything, including businesses. While many students will naturally follow a technical engineering career path, your degree also gives you the ability to think bigger and apply your knowledge in any field you choose. Engineering teaches you how to solve problems, and that skill is at the core of every successful venture.

Be ambitious. Think big. Work hard. Never give up. If I, as an international student, could build a company in the UK and overcome cultural and language barriers, then I believe you can achieve even greater things starting at your age. I began my entrepreneurial journey at 23, but most of you will join Sheffield at 17 or 18, giving you the time and opportunity to explore and shape an incredible career.

The University of Sheffield, Yorkshire, and the UK as a whole provide massive opportunities for young, talented engineering students. Don’t be afraid to explore across domains, because sometimes it is at the intersection of different fields where the most exciting breakthroughs happen. Use your time at Sheffield to experiment, collaborate, and discover your own path.

Follow PinCheng Lin on LinkedIn to learn more about his story.