90 finalists bidding for the 2021 Start-Up Awards are revealed
THE finalists for the 2021 Wales Start-Up Awards can be revealed. Now in their sixth year, the awards are due to take place on September 9 at the Depot in Cardiff.
Having received a record 750 entries, a total of 90 finalists have been selected across 27 categories covering all sectors in Wales. The awards are for firms launched in the past three years.
Professor Dylan Jones-Evans, assistant pro-vice chancellor at the University of South Wales, who created the awards back in 2016, said: “Over the last 15 months, we have seen record numbers of new firms being created in Wales despite the challenges faced by businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“This is reflected in the high quality and quantity of the entries to the awards, which will make the final judging even more difficult this year.
“In particular, the Rising Stars category for start-ups less than 12 months old was the most competitive of all the categories and shows how new businesses have flourished despite the various lockdowns.
“Various studies have shown that entrepreneurship remains an important element of economies around the world, and it is clear that companies like our finalists, who perceive an opportunity and take a risk to create a new business, will be critical in ensuring the recovery of the Welsh economy over the next few years.
“It’s good to see that 44% of the finalists are female entrepreneurs, as closing the gender gap in new business starts is critical in boosting the Welsh economy.”
Last year’s overall winner was eco pet brand Project Blu.
The sponsors for this year’s awards include Capital Law, NatWest Bank, BIC Innovation, Bluegg, Business in Focus, Business News Wales, CEMET, Chambers Wales, Fintech Wales, GLLM Food Technology Centre, Glynllifon Rural Economy Hub, M-Sparc, North Wales Ambition Board, the Prince’s Trust Wales, the Swansea Bay City Deal, University of South Wales, Universities Wales, WCVA and Young Enterprise.
Chris Coughlan, senior associate of the overall sponsor Capital Law, said: “It’s heart-warming to see so many start-ups in Wales continue to innovate and grow during such uncertain times. At Capital, we’ve always admired the talent and creativity of Welsh entrepreneurs.
“That’s why we support these awards. This year, the record number of applications, and the agility they demonstrate, is truly impressive. It’s certainly going to be difficult to choose winners among such highquality finalists.”