NatWest Cymru and the Royal Welsh Show are on the lookout for Wales’ next big brands after announcing the launch of a new entrepreneur courtyard at this year’s show.
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Entitled Future Brands of Wales, the courtyard will showcase up to 32 new and exciting Welsh start-up brands with the focus on making one of Europe’s biggest agricultural shows more accessible to smaller businesses.
Each year the Royal Welsh Show attracts some 250,000 visitors and more than 1,000 trade stands making it one of the UK’s biggest annual events.
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NatWest Cymru is subsidising the eight pop-up pitches so they are available at a discounted price of just £125 per day per stallholder (including VAT). Businesses can apply for a pop-up pitch for a maximum of two days as organisers look to give as many entrepreneurs as possible the chance to have a stand.
Priority will be given to brands whose products are produced or manufactured in Wales and that are innovative or unique. Preference will also be shown to those brands that use raw materials sourced from Wales. Applicants must not have previously independently exhibited at the Royal Welsh Show or have an exhibit elsewhere in the ground at this year’s event.
The bank, which last year lent more than £250m to Welsh businesses, is also using the courtyard to support entrepreneurs with a series of workshops and TED-style talks led by its Entrepreneur Accelerator Team.
The Future Brands of Wales brand has been developed by Welsh graphic designer Marina Hauer of Apricity Studio who is a graduate of the NatWest Entrepreneur Accelerator programme, which has helped nearly 700 Welsh businesses since it was launched in Cardiff in 2016.
Kevin Morgan, Regional Director of Business Banking for NatWest Cymru, said: “We are very excited to be working with the organisers of the Royal Welsh Show to help more start-up brands take advantage of showcasing their products to the hundreds of thousands of people that will visit this year’s event. As a bank it is our priority to support more entrepreneurs achieve their potential, which is why we are proud to be helping record numbers of new businesses in Wales.
“The Future Brands of Wales courtyard is not just a chance for those exhibiting to promote their products, but an arena for entrepreneurs to engage, network and learn from some of Wales’ leading stakeholders and business leaders making it an important new facility at the showground this year.”
Steve Hughson, RWAS Chief Executive, said: “Supporting the next generation is something the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society is very passionate about. Whether it is through our future generations committee, our young handler classes, our support of the Wales YFC or by working on projects such as the Future Brands of Wales courtyard – we are always on the look out to give people a chance to get involved with our events.
“For many years we have had similar schemes supporting up-and-coming Welsh food and drink businesses, so we are delighted to be able to create a new partnership with Natwest Cymru to help roll these opportunities out to a wider range on entrepreneurial Welsh businesses.”
The closing date for applications is June 24. For an application form or further information email [email protected]
