Cardiff Capital Region (CCR) has named Chloe Danton from Hodge Bank as the winner of its inaugural Venture AI Innovators Challenge, with the announcement made during a showcase event at London Tech Week earlier this week.
The competition, delivered in partnership with Tramshed Tech, brought together a cohort of emerging talent from across South East Wales to develop practical, innovative solutions which embrace tools like artificial intelligence (AI) to tackle real-world business challenges.
The winner was unveiled at an afternoon reception attended by leaders from technology, industry, government and academia, demonstrating CCR’s growing reputation as a hub for innovation and skills development.
The event formed part of London Tech Week and highlighted the region’s commitment to developing future-ready talent and driving economic growth through applied AI.
Following a ten-week programme, participants progressed from early idea development through to fully realised, pitch-ready solutions, supported by expert mentoring and access to industry insight. The final three were selected after a competitive shortlisting process, with judging led by an expert panel coordinated by Tramshed Tech.
Alongside Chloe, the final saw standout entries from runners-up Wei-Jei Yuan from EA Global and Jacob Newman from Safran Seats, whose solutions impressed judges for their creativity and real-world application. The winning solution, developed by Chloe stood out for its innovation, practical application and its potential to deliver measurable impact within its sector.
CCR is one of the UK’s city regions, bringing together ten local authorities across South East Wales, working in partnership with the Welsh and UK Governments, to drive inclusive economic growth by investing in infrastructure, skills, innovation and sustainable development. CCR’s Vice Chair Cllr Dimitri Batrouni, and the public body’s innovation and AI portfolio lead said, “The quality of ideas throughout the Venture AI Innovators Challenge has been exceptional, showcasing the strength of emerging talent across our region. Chloe Danton’s solution demonstrates exactly the kind of forward-thinking, practical innovation needed to drive real change for businesses and communities.
“This programme is about more than the competition, and our thanks go to the team at Tramshed Tech for their support and partnership to deliver the Venture into Innovation Programme which supports these early-career professionals to build confidence, capability and opportunity, ensuring South East Wales remains at the forefront of applied AI innovation.”
Winner Chloe Danton from Hodge Bank added, “Taking part in the Venture AI Innovators Challenge has been an incredible experience. From the mentoring and support through to the opportunity to test and develop our idea, the programme has helped turn a concept into something with real-world potential.
“To be recognised as the winner at London Tech Week is a huge honour and I’m excited to continue developing this solution and see the impact it can have within the industry.”
The Venture AI Innovators Challenge is designed to support apprentices, graduates and early-career professionals to apply AI in meaningful, responsible ways, addressing operational challenges across sectors including digital, advanced manufacturing, creative industries and net zero.
As part of the prize, the winner will receive funding and support to further develop their concept, including progression into CCR’s AI Enable Programme, helping to scale their idea into a deployable solution.
The London Tech Week event also featured a panel discussion exploring talent, innovation and long-term economic impact, positioning the Venture into Innovation programme as a live case study of how regional investment in skills can deliver tangible outcomes.
Head judge, Carys Owens, Managing Director of Whisper Cymru said, “The Venture AI Innovators Challenge highlights the strength of talent we have across South East Wales and the important role that programmes like this play in supporting innovation and economic growth.
“By investing in skills and creating opportunities for emerging professionals to apply new technologies in practical ways, Cardiff Capital Region is helping to ensure Wales remains competitive in the industries of the future.”
Jack Mayers, Head of Skills, Tramshed Tech said: “This challenge has demonstrated what’s possible when you bring together talent, ambition and the right support. The finalists should be incredibly proud of what they have achieved, and we look forward to seeing how these ideas continue to grow and make a real difference.”
