Wales’ most exciting new businesses have been shortlisted as part of a brand new awards programme.
The StartUp Awards National Series has been launched to recognise the booming startup scene across the UK which has accelerated since the pandemic began. In 2020, when most of the world was shutting down, more than 400,000 startups were set up in Britain, with similar increases seen in other European countries.
This marked boost in newfound entrepreneurship is mirrored by a huge 2,500 applications which have been received in response to the Startup Awards National Series’ first ever call for entries.
The Wales startups that made the shortlist are a true snapshot of the future economy, with a collective turnover of over £18m and employing 587 people between them. Of the region’s great passion for entrepreneurship, one finalist said: “It is our belief that any business should be proud to class themselves as a Welsh business. The Welsh economy is being built on the grounds of up-and-coming local entrepreneurs and it is a fantastic feeling to know we are a part of this.”
The cohort of finalists announced today will be considered for the regional prizes by a panel of seasoned judges with experience founding or supporting entrepreneurial ventures. This includes Wales-based Richard Theo, CEO and co-founder of Wealthify, Rachael Flanagan, founder of Mrs Buckét, and Geryn Evans of Project Blue, a previous Wales StartUp Awards winner.
Supported nationally by BT, EY, Dell & Intel, the programme will celebrate the achievements of the amazing individuals across the UK who have turned an idea into an opportunity and taken the risk to launch a new product or service.
Co-founded by the team behind the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, the new series follows the success of the Wales StartUp Awards, after organisers recognised the exceptional potential in the startup scene across the other British regions.
Professor Dylan Jones-Evans OBE, the creator of the StartUp Awards National Series, said: “New firms are important for generating economic prosperity, employment opportunities and innovation. Since 2016, the Wales StartUp Awards have celebrated this amazing annual contribution to our economy by entrepreneurs and the impact they have on communities across the nation.
“Given the sheer volume of phenomenal Welsh startups we’ve heard from since then, as well as the huge post-pandemic shift in people’s desires to take their career in a new direction and set up a business against the odds, we felt it was the right time to take the programme nationwide. As in previous years, we’ve been blown away by the standard of entries from Wales and truly look forward to crowning the winners.”
The Wales final will take place at DEPOT in Cardiff on 30th June 2022.
This year’s StartUp Awards National Series finalists from Wales are:
B2B Services StartUp
- Marketing Purks, Founded by Daisy Purkis
- Hexa Finance, Founded by Ben Davies & Stuart Mason
- Reclaim Tax Wales, Founded by Joshua Davies
- See No Bounds, Founded by Charlott & Jamie McAnsh
- Whitestone Media Group, Founded by Dayne & Liby Stone
- Lumen SEO, Founded by Aled Nelmes
B2C Services StartUp
- Revive! Auto Innovations Gogledd Cymru, Founded by Eifion Watkins
- YourNorth, Founded by Kelly & Jamie Farr
- GEEJ Coaching, Founded by Georgina James
- KCM Fitness, Founded by Katie Clement McCreesh
- Play Party Create, Founded by Danielle Johnson
- Willow Daycare, Founded by Rebecca Davies
Construction & Building Services StartUp
- Lattice.Site, Founded by Sankha Deep Das
- Temporary Worx, Founded by Carl Morgan & Ashley Daniels
- YIVER Properties, Founded by Oliver Thomas
- Eclipse Recruitment, Founded by Ellis Grayson
Creative StartUp
- Catflap Chats Podcast, Founded by Mikey Rowe
- LUNA TIDES Productions, Founded by Thomas James
- SHYDOG CREATIVE, Founded by Scott Warne & Lyanne Warne
- The Virtual Assistant Experience, Founded by Hannah Roose
- WCS Agency, Founded by Chelsea O’Driscoll
Digital StartUp
- DCW Insights, Founded by Dean Ward
- Identitech, Founded by Manoj Khetia, Scott Jones, Rosalind Burns & John Brassey
- Mighty Duck, Founded by Michael O’Neill
- Niche Website Builders, Founded by Adam Smith & Mark Mars
- Porter, Founded by Gary Piazzon
Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
- Marketing Purks, Founded by Daisy Purkis
- Agile Kinetic Ltd, Founded by Peter Bishop
- Lumen SEO, Founded by Aled Nelmes
- YIVER Properties, Founded by Oliver Thomas
Fintech StartUp
- BOXD, Founded by Gwion Thomas, Elen Hughes
- Blukite Group, Founded by Christopher Hamilton
- Stock-Up, Founded by Mayo Twala
- Ship Shape, Founded by Daniel Sawko
Food and Drink StartUp
- Communiti, Founded by James Graham
- EISA Tea Co., Founded by Amy Aed & Emily Knipe
- Fungtn, Founded by Zoey Henderson
- The Old Bakery, Founded by Mark Maguire
- Devil’s Bridge Rum, Founded by Gregor Shaw
Global StartUp
- Conexus, Founded by Connor Wall
- MIB International, Founded by Leona Burton
- Cynefn, Founded by Laura Hickman Sell
Graduate StartUp
- Dill, Founded by Alex-Ioan Coldea
- ELYN Boutique, Founded by Elisa Hsiao
- Lunia 3D, Founded by Ken Pearce & Yousef Ahmed
- Pai Language Learning, Founded by Josef Roberts & Simon Parry-Williams
- NDT South Wales, Founded by Victor Ojabo
Green StartUp
- Carbon AcCount, Founded by Theresa Bodner & Katherine Lewis
- Drop Bear Beer Co., Founded by Joelle Drummond & Sarah McNena
- Sero Zero Waste, Founded by Liz Carnevale & Laura Parry
High Street StartUp
- APOTHECARY64, Founded by Craig Parker
- Cuffed-in Coffee, Founded by Kristian Cuffin
- U Melt Me & Gifts, Founded by Becky Oldfield
- Xscape Rooms, Founded by Jordan & Nicholas Williams
- Karry’s Deli, Founded by Karry Meyrick
Innovative StartUp
- Cufflink, Founded by Billy Williams & Boris Grekov
- Graphium, Founded by Sean Coutts, Rachel Kirby & Katie Jones
- Virtus Tech, Founded by George Bellwood & Robin Davies
- Route Konnect, Founded by Mohamed Binesmael, Daniel Harborne & Matteo De Rosa
- Tyre Glider, Founded by Kevin Baker
Medtech & Healthtech StartUp
- Agile Kinetic, Founded by Peter Bishop
- Goggleminds, Founded by Azize Naji
- Copner Biotech, Founded by Jordan Copner
Mobile & Emerging Technologies StartUp
- Academii, Founded by Gabrielle Pring
- dewin tech, Founded by Geraint Hughes
- Ortharize, Founded by Jon Maddison & Chris Flynn
- Identitech, Founded by Manoj Khetia, Scott Jones, Rosalind Burns, & John Brassey
Online Retail StartUp
- Mallows Beauty, Founded by Ronnie Bourne & Laura Mallows
- Out of Sync, Founded by Megan, Kate & Jackie Lewis
- Peony & Bee, Founded by Becky Oldfield
Professional Services StartUp
- Aspire Recruitment Services, Founded by Sarah Learney
- Moxie People, Founded by Rich Thomas & Sam Cooper-Woolley
- Family First Professionals, Founded by Daniel Davison
- Support Ethics, Founded by Geraint Lethbridge
- Vetted Recruitment, Founded by Deborah Loding & Laura Collings
Rural StartUp
- Anglesey Bees, Founded by Dafydd Jones
- HUNA, Founded by Ffion Boyesen & Bella Mossman
- Cardigan Bay Properties, Founded by Helen Worrall & Tania Dutnell
- The Lodge, Staylittle, Founded by Phillip Stasiw & Polly Clark
- Virtually Bee, Founded by Bethan Jenkins
- Arfordir, Founded by Sion Davies
Social Enterprise StartUp
- Because Animals Are Worthwhile, Founded by Chloe Carter
- Wrexham Feast, Founded by Samantha Harris & Joss Prince
- LABRATS, Founded by Alan Owen
- Prom Ally CIC, Founded by Ally Elouise
Tourism & Leisure Start-Up
- By the Wye, Founded by Edith, Dawn and Dan Farnworth and Steve Salter
- The Wanderlist, Founded by Laura & John Lewis
- Lovetovisit, Founded by Fed Pereira, Alice Aubrey & Georgia Aubrey
- Sparkle Pro Caravan Cleaning, Founded by Ian Thomas
- Nomadic Washrooms, Founded by Kate & Stu Richards
Young Entrepreneur
- Marketing Purks, Founded by Daisy Purkis
- Dill, Founded by Alex-Ioan Coldea
- Drop Bear Beer Co., Founded by Joelle Drummond & Sarah McNena
- GEEJ Coaching, Founded by Georgina James
- YIVER Properties, Founded by Oliver Thomas
Rising Star Award
- 2B Enterprising, Founded by Jayne Brewer & Sue Poole
- Angladdau Enfys Funerals, Founded by Manon Williams & Louise White
- Bevovisuals, Founded by Sam Beavan
- Clever Cubs Club, Founded by Natalie Thomas
- Gifts of Wales, Founded by Kathryn Greatorex
- Micro Acres Wales, Founded by Donna Graves & Christopher Graves
- Peony & Bee, Founded by Becky Oldfield
- Swig Smoothies, Founded by Tomos Owen
- The Virtual Assistant Experience, Founded by Hannah Roose
- Tree Law, Founded by Sarah Dodd
Cardiff StartUp
- Family First Professionals, Founded by Daniel Davison
- Conexus, Founded by Connor Wall
- Moxie People, Founded by Rich Thomas
- Marketing Purks, Founded by Daisy Purkis
- Lovetovisit, Founded by Fed Pereira, Alice Aubrey & Georgia Aubrey
North Wales StartUp
- Revive! Auto Innovations Gogledd Cymru, Founded by Eifion Watkins
- The Old Bakery, Founded by Mark Maguire
- Cufflink, Founded by Billy Williams & Boris Grekov
- dewin tech, Founded by Geraint Hughes
Swansea Bay StartUp
- Drop Bear Beer Co., Founded by Joelle Drummon & Sarah McNena
- Whitestone Media Group, Founded by Dayne Stone & Liby Stone
- Temporary Worx, Founded by Carl Morgan & Ashley Daniels
- DCW Insights, Founded by Dean Ward
Valleys StartUp
- Niche Website Builders, Founded by Adam Smith & Mark Mars
- Mallows Beauty, Founded by Ronnie Bourne & Laura Mallows
- Support Ethics, Founded by Geraint Lethbridge
- OLLYWOOD, Founded by Oliver Williams
