What Can Two Cybersecurity Founders Teach Us About Scaling with Purpose?
Posted on 28th March 2025 at 12:07
What does it take to build a resilient business in one of the most fast-moving and trust-dependent sectors: cybersecurity? This week on ScaleUp Radio, we hear from two founders navigating that very challenge in two very different ways: Steve Mason of Nova Blue Technologies and Peter Rucinski of Assure Technical.
Both serve the SME market, both are growing without significant outside investment, and both have deep expertise from elite institutions. But their journeys reveal unique paths to scaling, full of hard-won lessons and strategic decisions that business leaders in any sector can learn from.
Two Founders, One Industry, Very Different Approaches
Steve launched Nova Blue in 2020 during the pandemic, capitalising on the surge in remote work and the corresponding rise in digital risk. With a background at GCHQ and other high-level government organisations, he brought formidable cyber credentials into the SME space.
Nova Blue’s services blend proactive managed cyber services with senior-level digital risk consulting. They’ve scaled to 14 remote staff, building a culture rooted in values like kindness, flexibility, and trust, with no set hours or holiday days.
Their growth strategy has so far relied heavily on channel partners, but Steve is actively working to reduce that reliance and diversify routes to market. He’s also clear about his future vision: international expansion, then exit.
Peter’s journey spans over 14 years, transitioning from military-grade technologies to a focus on Cyber Essentials certification and consultancy for SMEs. His time in the Royal Navy shaped not only his discipline but also his empathy as a leader.
A key turning point came when he and his family spent a year and a half sailing around the world. This required the business to operate remotely and independently, an unintentional stress test that highlighted team strengths and gaps.
Today, Assure Technical combines technical rigour with strong relationship-building. Peter focuses on creating a flat, open culture where team members are empowered to contribute and grow.
Shared Values, Different Journeys
Despite their different paths, both Steve and Peter share a focus on people:
Hiring for attitude, not just technical skills
Building a values-led culture
Creating long-term client partnerships, not just ticking boxes
But they also faced unique challenges:
Steve had to create a leadership structure that separates shareholder and executive roles, something he learned the hard way in a previous startup.
Peter grappled with how and when to outsource, especially around marketing, and how to balance delivery with commercial growth.
Both stories highlight the importance of thinking strategically about not just growth, but how you grow.
Insights from the ScaleUp Challenge Report
According to our ScaleUp Challenge Report, 52% of scaling businesses achieved over 20% growth last year, despite economic pressures. What made the difference? Strategic clarity and people leadership.
Steve’s structured, values-based culture and Peter’s balanced, people-first leadership both reflect what we see across high-growth companies: founders who think beyond themselves and empower their teams to take ownership.
Podcast Shorts: Kevin and Granger’s Reflections
In this month’s ScaleUp Shorts podcast, BizSmart founder Kevin Brent and BizSmart Gloucestershire's Granger Forson break down the common themes and standout contrasts from both interviews.
👥 “Steve’s clarity around international growth and eventual exit stood out. He’s thinking with the end in mind,” notes Kevin.
🛠️ “Peter’s ability to reinvent the business after a long break shows how resilience and perspective can shape a scaleup journey,” adds Granger.
Their conversation digs into:
The strategic mindset behind proactive service models
Lessons in balancing delivery with leadership
Why the human element matters more than ever in tech
🎧 Listen to the full episode here: ScaleUp Club Podcast Shorts
Smart Takeaway
Scaling a business in a complex, high-trust sector like cybersecurity demands more than just technical excellence. It requires leadership clarity, a strong culture, and the courage to learn from both success and challenge.
Whether you’re planning an international expansion or trying to build a more self-sufficient team, these two interviews offer rich insight into how to grow with purpose.
Put These Leadership Lessons into Practice
Want to explore the leadership habits that drive sustainable growth?
👉 Download our free Leadership eBook: 'Smart Strategies to Empower Your Team and Scale Your Business'
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📖 Or dive deeper with The Entrepreneurial ScaleUp System – a practical guide for building a business that works without relying on you every day. Buy the Book
🎙️ And of course, don’t miss the full episodes of ScaleUp Radio: Listen Now
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