Support and guidance are invaluable in unlocking your potential as an entrepreneur. In this blog, our MSc Marketing alum, PingChen Lin, reflects on how his time at LSE fuelled his entrepreneurial mindset, leading to the founding of CybPass. He shares the lessons learned, the challenges overcome, and his vision for the future of CybPass as it expands globally. Furthermore, he offers invaluable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.
How did your time at LSE (Department of Management) contribute to your success/achieving this incredible feat?
I chose to pursue my MSc in Marketing at LSE to bridge the gap between deep tech and business. I wanted to understand not just how to build technology, but how to bring it to market effectively, and LSE was the best place in the UK to do that.
At LSE, I was deeply inspired by the ambition and vision of the students. The environment constantly pushed me to think bigger. Surrounded by future entrepreneurs, policy leaders, and innovators, I found my path in entrepreneurship. I brought forward innovative ideas and actively participated in startup competitions. With the support of LSE Generate, I had access to mentorship, entrepreneurial resources, and networking opportunities that connected me with investors, corporate leaders, and founders.
The Department of Management’s comprehensive support, along with its vibrant community and practical exposure, helped me build the foundational knowledge, network, and mindset that now powers my journey as the CEO of CybPass.
This ecosystem enabled me to co-lead a MedTech startup project, develop a sustainable food waste innovation, and win 3rd prize at Imperial College’s Social Impact Day, reach the semi-finals of the LSE Startup Competition 2022, and the quarter-finals of the Mayor of London Startup Challenge.
What inspired you to set up your business (tell us a bit about your career journey)?
Entrepreneurship has always been part of my DNA. I grew up watching my father, who started his first business in his early twenties. He faced near-bankruptcy twice due to market disruptions, but each time he found a way to turn adversity into opportunity. His resilience, strategic mindset, and unwavering commitment to his vision left a lasting impression on me.
That mindset stayed with me as I pursued my Master’s at LSE. I was surrounded by ambitious and visionary peers who constantly pushed boundaries, and that environment helped me find clarity in my own purpose. Although I had no corporate experience, no internships, and no job history, I had something else: passion, ambition, and a bold vision for the future.
I co-founded CybPass while finishing my degree, inspired by the groundbreaking technology developed by my co-founder and CTO/CSO Dr.Aryan Pasikhani. We identified a critical gap in the market. As AI is rapidly adopted in high-risk industries, there is zero tolerance for vulnerabilities. Our vision is to secure the world by protecting AI systems and ensuring that innovation can continue safely, responsibly, and sustainably.
What are your plans for the future of CybPass?
In the short term, we plan to close our first funding round by this summer, complete development of our commercial product, in collaboration with our design partners, and officially launch our go-to-market strategy. Over the next three years, we will focus on penetrating our first target market and proving the value of autonomous AI security.
Looking ahead, our mission is to expand CybPass into other highly regulated and high-stakes industries where AI adoption must be safe and resilient. Our goal is to become the global standard for AI security, empowering organisations to innovate confidently while ensuring that AI remains secure, compliant, and aligned with human safety at every stage of deployment.
Do you have any advice for current students wishing to set up their own businesses?
1. Be ambitious and just do it
Chase your dreams, think big, and take action. Start now. Begin by testing and validating your idea with whatever resources you have. Take the first step and learn by doing.
When I launched CybPass, I had no internship experience, no corporate background, and no work history. But I had a passion for cyber security, some marketing knowledge, and the determination to learn quickly. I did not wait for the perfect moment. I acted. Timing is everything. If an idea feels right, take action immediately.
2. Be a continuous learner
You will not know everything at the start, and that is perfectly fine. Teach yourself what you need to know. I self-studied AI security, industry regulations, start-up finance, fundraising, and operations. I read the news every morning to stay updated on global trends in business, technology, and economics. I also consistently invest in developing both soft skills like negotiation and public speaking, and hard skills such as technical development and financial modeling.
3. Surround yourself with experts
- Build a network of mentors who can guide you throughout your journey. I made sure to connect with at least one mentor in every key area of life and business. I’m especially grateful to our Chairperson, Ian Tracey (CEO of Anchored In), as well as my mentors, Alex (Board Director at O-Bank) and Dr. Prosanta (Senior Lecturer at the University of Sheffield), for their unwavering support and invaluable guidance throughout this journey.
- Do not be afraid to ask questions.
- Be humble, share your energy and vision, and you will find people who are willing to support you.
4. Build your network from scratch if you need to
As an international student, I had to create my network from the ground up. I reached out to others, offered support, and remained consistent. LinkedIn was an essential tool, and attending networking events helped me build meaningful connections. Relationships are key. Start building them early.
5. Never give up
After completing our first £100,000 Innovate UK grant from July 2023 to March 2024, CybPass had no follow-on funding. The future was uncertain. But my co-founder and I stayed committed. I truly appreciate the journey Aryan and I have walked together—we’ve supported one another, shared ideas, guided each other, and overcome challenges side by side. He’s not just my co-founder, but like an elder brother to me.
I identified what was missing in our story, compiled a list of companies, and sent over 50,000 cold outreach messages between March and November to gain traction. At the same time, my co-founder continued to build the product outside of his full-time job. That persistence led to securing a second non-dilutive grant from the University of Sheffield and my selection for the UKRI EPSRC IAA Commercialisation Fellowship. These achievements positioned CybPass to raise our first institutional funding round.
Building a startup is difficult. But with grit, focus, and unwavering belief in your vision, you can push through the toughest moments.
6. Think globally by traveling
If you have the opportunity, travel. Experiencing different countries and cultures can offer new perspectives on business, leadership, and innovation. It broadens your thinking and helps you approach challenges from different angles.
For me, traveling played a vital role in shaping CybPass’s market strategy and long-term goals. It helped me understand how to tailor our product to different markets, work with diverse teams, and identify global opportunities and build international connections. As a student entrepreneur, developing a global outlook is one of the most valuable assets you can build.
Find out more about the MSc Marketing Programme.
If you’re an LSE student or alumni with a business idea or interest in entrepreneurship, check out LSE Generate.
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The information in this blog was correct at the time of publishing.
