In May, GlobalWelsh announced a new initiative via its GlobalWelsh Academy. Meet the Makers – Sponsored by Pelican Products invited innovative and ambitious business leaders in Wales to participate in a funded masterclass with a worldwide design and manufacturing business, headquartered in Los Angeles, California.

The unique programme was made possible thanks to a partnership between GlobalWelsh and Pelican Products, Inc. – the global leader in the design and manufacture of high-performance protective cases, temperature controlled packaging solutions, lighting tools and rugged gear for professionals/outdoor enthusiasts.

Judged by Rolls Royce CEO Warren East, Sunnybarn Investments CEO Phil Buck, Welsh-born Pelican CEO Lyndon Faulkner and GlobalWelsh founder Walter May, the programme attracted applications from business leaders in a range of sectors including retail, manufacturing, design and the creative industries.

FINAL GROUP REVEALED

‘Meet the Makers’ applicants were judged on a number of criteria including:

Ambition

Innovation

Global appeal

Scalability

Potential impact / value of opportunity

Due to an overwhelming number of quality applicants, the panel selected an additional seventh candidate, instead of the planned six. All seven were contacted on Monday afternoon in a surprise phone call from the LA-based Pelican CEO.

In September, the seven selected candidates will spend a week working with Pelican’s executive team and focusing on an array of key disciplines necessary for building a successful business. The group will have the opportunity to share about their own businesses and learn from those that have helped Pelican become a $500m success story.

After notifying the winners and confirming their participation, we can now reveal the final seven:

The programme is the first initiative event facilitated by the GlobalWelsh Academy, aiming to provide GlobalWelsh members with workshops, mentoring, inspiring talks, masterclasses and global opportunities directly from the GlobalWelsh community and wider Welsh diaspora. The prerequisite for taking part in GlobalWelsh Academy opportunities is to become a member of GlobalWelsh (as a free community member or pioneer).

Announcing the winners, Lyndon Faulkner, said:

“We had a great response to the campaign. We’d like to thank everyone who took the time to apply. It will be an absolute privilege to welcome the finalists to LA in September and I can’t wait to meet them and have them work with our executive team”

GlobalWelsh founder, Walter May, said:

“It’s been a pleasure to establish the ‘Meet the Makers’ initiative, which will help some of Wales’ most promising companies grow and develop. We have so many undiscovered talents and skills in Wales who have the expertise and inclination to help others to reach their full potential. I wish the finalists all the very best in LA this September.”

GlobalWelsh is also set to partner in 2018 with Mountain Warehouse Founder Mark Neale (Born in Ebbw Vale) on a new GlobalWelsh Academy initiative to give aspiring Welsh retail businesses and business leaders a chance to attend a masterclass at the HQ of Mountain Warehouse. Earlier this year, Mr Neale took part in a panel event with GlobalWelsh to discuss opportunities for Wales post-Brexit.