A leading Welsh start-up accelerator programme has honoured six entrepreneurs for their breakthrough innovations, marking the end of an intensive 12-week initiative designed to supercharge business ideas into market-ready ventures.
The Business Wales Start-Up Accelerator Programme, funded by the Welsh Government, assembled 21 aspiring entrepreneurs, equipping them with expert mentorship, hands-on support, and unparalleled networking opportunities. After three months of rigorous development, the top participants were recognised for their achievements across six award categories:
Sales Accelerator Award: Trystan Lloyd, LYFT ClubLYFT Club bridges the gap between health and fitness practitioners and new clients through its storytelling-led marketing platform. This model enhances customer trust and simplifies the search for reputable wellness services.
Proposition Flex Award: Paul Tomotas, AVA Steel LtdAVA Steel Ltd converts steel industry waste into sustainable raw materials, such as iron briquettes and zinc concentrates. Its innovative methods address environmental challenges while offering cost-effective, green steel production solutions.
Accelerator Champion Award: Andrea Jones, VisVira LtdVisVira Ltd streamlines business productivity with autonomous AI agents that handle repetitive tasks. By easing the operational load, companies can devote more resources to expansion, innovation, and strategic initiatives.
Fastest Sales Award: Dan Newman, BALDILOCKSBALDILOCKS helps those experiencing hair loss regain confidence through curated well-being experiences. Supported by customers shopping in the “Baldiverse,” the venture fosters a community-centric approach to self-esteem and resilience.
Most Collaborative Participant Award: Osian Evans, GoIawnGoIawn’s platform, Antur Amser, promotes Welsh-language literacy through immersive, story-driven educational technology. This platform enables schools to deliver interactive learning experiences that engage students with their language and culture.
Accelerator Award: Gareth Thomas, SolitaireSolitaire.io is an indie gaming platform combining solitaire gameplay with collectible playing cards, forging a loyal user base and leveraging crowdfunding to fuel its expansion. This fusion of traditional gaming and branding innovation has quickly captured players’ imaginations.
Richard Morris, Programme Director for the Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme, praised the cohort: “We are immensely proud of this year’s participants. Their creativity, perseverance, and entrepreneurial drive have been extraordinary. These awards celebrate their journey and highlight the transformative potential they hold for their industries.”
Andrea Jones, Accelerator Champion Award winner, emphasised the programme’s impact: “The Start-Up Accelerator Programme took my idea from concept to full market readiness. VisVira’s AI agent assistants and ‘AI employees’ are now poised to enter a rapidly evolving landscape with confidence and clarity.”
With the programme wrapped up and the awards distributed, these entrepreneurs stand primed to invigorate Wales’s business landscape. Their growth and future success are set to reinforce the region’s reputation as a vibrant, forward-looking hub for innovation and enterprise.