Cash-strapped inventor to quit Wales to get innovation support
ACASH-STRAPPED inventor who developed a bionic arm for his child says he will have to quit Wales to get the support he needs to turn his idea into a job creating business.
Ben Ryan developed the artificial limb for his son Sol using X-Box accessories and a 3D printer, after doctors were forced to amputate the infant’s arm below the elbow when he suffered a severe blood clot at 10 days old.
He then set up Ambionics on Anglesey with the aim of turning the invention into a viable product for other young children.
Mr Ryan, 41, a psychology lecturer from Menai Bridge, recently moved into the new M-Sparc science park on Anglesey and is on the shortlist of 10 for the UK’s Inventor Prize.
But now he says he is preparing to leave North Wales for England – saying he can get more support for innovation over the border.
He says it is this or face watching Ambionics “die” as his funding runs out.
In response Welsh Government said it was “absolutely committed” to supporting innovation in Wales.
He said: “I have lived here my whole life and have never wanted to leave until now but I owe it to everyone around the world who donated to keep going if I can.
“Unless the business goes under first I need to try to relocate and access English funding and support.
“I believe it’s a case of relocating or watching Ambionics and everything I have worked for die.”
He says he feels let down by the lack of innovation funding he has been able to access in Wales to develop the idea.
He also says he was told he cannot use the money raised through crowd-funding and donations to match fund a loan from the Development Bank of Wales.
Mr Ryan added: “The number of grants I can apply for in Cambridge or Warwick is massive compared to what is available in Wales.”
In response, a Welsh Government spokeswoman said: “As set out in our Economic Action Plan we are absolutely committed to supporting entrepreneurship and innovation and to helping companies like Ambionics to prosper and grow.
“Indeed in 2017/18 the Welsh Government Business Wales service alone supported 17,000 Welsh SMEs.
“Ambionics has already received significant advisory support from Welsh Government and we are in continuing dialogue with the company about financial support options.
“We will continue to support Ambionics and companies right across Wales to access our full range of business, finance and innovation services that are widely regarded as second to none.”
A spokeswoman for the Development Bank of Wales said: “The Development Bank of Wales has a dedicated team which specialises in investing in technology businesses.
“The bank can and does invest alongside crowd-funding platforms as well as other equity investors, providing our other investment requirements can be met.
“Funding is available for businesses at all stages from pre-revenue to growth capital for established companies.”