We often describe ourselves as being based in "leafy" Fareham, and while that may involve a touch of poetic licence, anyone familiar with this corner of the South Coast will understand the sentiment.
We may not sit on a tree-lined suburban avenue, but we are proud to be part of one of the most technically capable counties in the UK.
Hampshire sits within easy reach of London, with the space and community feel that many teams want without leaving the South Coast.
It is also home to a strong cluster of technology businesses, and several universities that help feed the local talent pipeline.
That combination is one reason we keep investing in relationships with the next generation of engineers and product thinkers.
What Happened
Last year we started working with Solent University in Southampton, pairing students on the Software Engineering course with live briefs from a local business.
What began as an exploratory engagement in 2025 is now a partnership we plan to keep supporting, and in 2026 the collaboration is expanding.
A few weeks ago, I briefed students on the Industrial Consulting module as part of their course work with Beyond Encryption.
Following our work on the Smart Data Challenge Prize with our Nigel proposition, we wanted to explore new functionality for practical use cases.
It is a useful way to take established solutions and review them through a different lens, combining academic insight with real delivery questions.
"University partnerships give us a structured way to test ideas with people who ask the questions our day-to-day teams stop hearing."
Paul Holland, Founder and CEO, Beyond Encryption (Mailock)
That framing sets the tone for how we want the rest of the module to run.
What Students And The Business Gain
One of the most valuable aspects of this partnership is the way it connects classroom theory with practical delivery.
For students, the module offers hands-on experience on genuine commercial challenges, not simulated case studies.
For Beyond Encryption, it brings emerging talent, new perspectives, and a chance to have our assumptions about how something should be built tested in the open.
"These projects work when students treat the brief like a real client engagement, and we treat their questions like input we would take from any delivery review."
Adam Byford, COO, Beyond Encryption (Mailock)
Early sessions suggest that balance is already working in practice.
What We're Seeing So Far
When I visited the class in January, I was impressed.
The students asked thoughtful, probing questions.
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They covered the technical brief, user needs, constraints, scalability, technical infrastructure, and long-term product vision.
There was even a student brave enough to ask for clarity on a dreaded acronym - jargon that we sadly all bandy about in industry with little thought.
There is something valuable about working with people who are not weighed down by the legacy of how things have always been done.
Students often spot opportunities that experienced teams overlook simply because they are not constrained by established ways of working.
What's Next
By collaborating with local institutions like Solent University, we are reinforcing our commitment to our B Corp accreditation through work with the local community, while also strengthening our focus on continuous improvement and innovation.
This project will continue over the next few weeks, and I am looking forward to seeing how students develop their ideas and sharing more about the partnership later this year.
FAQs
Why Work With Solent University Students?
The partnership gives students exposure to real product, engineering, and business challenges in a local technology company.
What Do Students Gain from the Partnership?
Students can connect academic learning with workplace experience, mentoring, and practical insight into technology roles.
How Does the Business Benefit from University Collaboration?
Beyond Encryption gains fresh perspectives, supports the local talent pipeline, and strengthens relationships with the regional technology community.
References
Solent University, Solent University, 2026
We Are Finalists in the Smart Data Challenge Prize, Beyond Encryption, 2025
Reviewed by
Sam Kendall, 02.06.26
This content is for general information only and is not legal advice.
Emily Plummer
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