HE started his working life by helping to develop the BBC Microcomputer, and went on to offer advanced cryptography for major banks and governments.

So it’s pretty probable that Alex Van Someren knows technology, and has a bit of experience with entrepreneurism too.

The ANT and nCipher founder said: “As a country we’ve become more receptive to the idea that you can become an entrepreneur.

“It’s important to see it as part of society, but it also has risks and it’s not necessarily true that everyone is cut out to be an entrepreneur.”

Van Someren turned up at the Girl Geeks event on Tuesday to share what investors are looking for and pointing out a few of the pitfalls in building your own business, some of which he’s plunged into himself.

Girl Geeks offers support programmes and events to its members, with the aim of inspiring future generations of women to succeed.

It snapped up Cambridge-based Van Someren as part of its speaker series, which was hosted this time around by RMT accountants and business advisers.

The event supported Technology 4 StartUp Britain Week, part of the StartUp Britain initiative.

Van Someren shared experiences of his career in business so far, which saw him join Acorn Computers at 17, set up ANT plc to develop products such as web browser software, and establish nCipher with venture capital backing to create internet security products using advanced cryptography.

He has operated four different ICT businesses and is an entrepreneur in residence at the University of Cambridge’s Judge Business School.