The 2019 Wales Start Up Awards Shortlist is Revealed

The 2019 Wales Start Up Awards Shortlist is Revealed

The shortlist for the 2019 Wales Start Up Awards has been announced.

Now in their fourth year, they are exclusive to Welsh companies that have launched within the last three years and provide a unique opportunity to recognise and celebrate the achievements of those new businesses that are making the greatest impact on the Welsh economy.

Having received nearly 250 entries, 74 finalists have been selected across nineteen categories covering all sectors and regions of Wales. Sponsors of the awards include Capital Law, NatWest Cymru, Abel and Imray, ALS Managed Services, Bluegg, Business in Focus, Cardiff University, Freight Logistics Solutions, Swansea University School of Management, Thermal Compaction Group, Tramshed Tech, Universities Wales, University of South Wales, WCVA the Welsh Government and Business News Wales.

Alys Carlton, partner at Capital Law said:

“The calibre of applications into this year’s awards has been hugely impressive, especially from the high number of women that had applied to enter. Capital Law fully supports the development of the Welsh Government’s Approach to Supporting Entrepreneurial Women and this year’s award shows that Wales is leading the way in encouraging greater numbers of women to start-up their businesses across the economy.

Siwan Rees from NatWest Cymru added:

“At NatWest, we are passionate about supporting Entrepreneurs empowering them with an unparalleled network, coaching and enabling them to become part of unique entrepreneurial community. Wales is home to such a rich vein of entrepreneurial talent and the NatWest Accelerator programme plays a vital role in ensuring these start-up and scale-up businesses get the opportunities and support they need to reach the very top.

Professor Dylan Jones-Evans, chairman of the judging panel, believes that this year’s finalists demonstrate, yet again the incredible potential of the Welsh entrepreneurial community.

“It was an absolute pleasure to read so many high quality applications from entrepreneurs located across all parts of Wales. We know that new firms create the majority of jobs in any economy and many of the firms that have made the final cut for this year’s awards have the potential to become real players within their sectors over the next few years”.

The organiser of the awards is Grapevine Events Management and its founder Liz Brookes said

“We cannot wait to return to the Depot in Cardiff for the fourth time to celebrate the achievements of a group of talented entrepreneurs that recognise the best of new businesses in Wales. By utilising its informal and relaxed atmosphere, the Wales Start-Up awards have become a unique event that presents the best platform in which the success of the fantastic finalists can be showcased”.

The shortlist is as follows:

Construction Start-Up of the Year

Cerrig Property Developments

The Lady Paint & Decor Company

Trades Work Wales

Creative Start-Up of the Year sponsored by University of South Wales

Animated Technologies

Forrest & Fox

Lauren Catris Design

Sadler Jones

Digital Start-Up of the Year sponsored by Tramshed Tech

Motokiki

Perago-Wales

Signum Health

Weekly10

Financial & Professional Start-Up of the Year

Front Door Communications

LimestoneGrey

LINKS Recruitment Group

Sweetmans & Partners

Food and Drink Start-Up of the Year

#Sober

Aber Falls Whisky Distillery

JT Hospitality Group

Swshi

Global Start-Up of the Year sponsored by Freight Logistics Solutions

Concoxia

Disberse

Paradigm Human Performance

The Youth Development Agency

Graduate Start-Up of the Year sponsored by Universities Wales

Alpacr

Letzshare

Route Konnect

SmallSpark Space Systems

Green Start-Up of the Year sponsored by Thermal Compaction Group

Afallen

BioPaxium Technologies

Natural Weigh

Surple

Innovative Start-Up of the Year sponsored by Welsh Government

Credas

Cufflink.io

Disberse

Hexigone Inhibitors

Manufacturing Start-Up of the Year

Clydach Farm Group

Limb-art

Wardill Motorcycle Company

Retail Start-Up of the Year

Barr & Co Jewellery

Coffee Blue

Letterbox Lab

TP Feeds

Rural Start-Up of the Year sponsored by Business in Focus

68 Degrees West Glamping

Bargoed Farm Caravan, Camping and Glamping Park and The Moody Cow Farm Shop and Welsh Bistro

Coles Distillery

Millin Brook Luxury Dog Boarding

Services B2B Start-Up of the Year

ComLink Fire & Security

LINKS Recruitment Group

PiQ Laboratories

Route Media

Security Foundry

Services B2C Start-Up of the Year

Brushbox

Jonny Blades Barbershop

Ross Mitchell Wealth Management

The Retreat Canine Hydrotherapy & Wellness

Social Enterprise Start-Up of the Year sponsored by WCVA

All Stars Gymnastics Club CIC

Awen Trading

Enbarr Foundation CIC

The Good Wash Company

Technology Start-Up of the Year sponsored by Cardiff University

Concentric Health

Credas

Datalyse Group

Hut Six Security

Tourism & Leisure Start-Up of the Year

Adventure Tours U.K.

EGNI Fitness Fun

Melin Llynon

Valleys Start-Up of the Year sponsored by ALS

Drone Evolution

Help4Wales Foundation

miFuture Group

The Youth Development Agency

Young Entrepreneur of the Year sponsored by Swansea University School of Management

Joelle Drummond and Sarah McNena from Drop Bear Beer Co.

Samuel-James E Cockrell from Fenston Thornshire

Emily Hicks from Studio Hicks

Dominic Bonaker from We Are Odyssey

For information about the Wales Start-Up Awards, please visit http://www.walesstartupawards.com/