Winners crowned in the All Wales Business Idea Competition

Budding entrepreneurs have been recognised for their business ideas at a recent prize-giving event held at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD). 

The All Wales Business Idea Competition supported by the Welsh Government and managed by UWTSD’s Enterprise Team was open for students and graduates of UWTSD’s campuses in Wales.

The competition required students to develop and submit both a business model canvas and a promotional poster outlining their business idea, giving them the opportunity to demonstrate not only creativity but also their understanding of key business planning principles. Entries were assessed by a panel of experts with experience in business development and start-ups, who judged the submissions on the strength of the concept, innovation, viability and overall presentation. Prizes were awarded to the top three entries in each category with Amazon vouchers of £100 for first place, £75 for second place and £50 for third place at the prize-giving event.

Dylan Williams-Evans, Enterprise Start-Up Manager at the University said: “We ran the competition for current students and graduates.  Seeing the level of creativity and commercial awareness from both current students and alumni has been genuinely impressive. Competitions like this don’t just showcase ideas but help build confidence that their ideas could become reality. Many of these participants aren’t just imagining businesses they’re already building the foundations for their success”.

The winners from the University’s graduates were: 

Tomos Hopkins, who studied the BA Creative Music Technology, won for his business Aurum by Florence, a personalised jewellery concept using 22 carat gold coins as wearable, collectible, and meaningful items.  He said: “I’m really grateful to have received the award. It’s been a great confidence boost and a reminder that the work I’m developing is heading in the right direction. I appreciate all the support from the team and I’m excited to keep building on this moving forward.

Rural Enterprise Management graduate Sandra Richards-Davies who is now studying the MBA in Sustainability Leadership won second place for her business, Bubbles, Bounce and Sensory Play CIC, which supports children of all abilities, including neurodivergent and ALN children, to explore through play, movement and sensory exploration.  “UWTSD Enterprise team gave me the opportunity to work directly with the officers and to join their free business start-up workshops,” Sandra says. “I’m also very fortunate to have been given an intern – someone with fresh eyes and a flair for marketing, websites and socials. Having an intern with the skills I lack, and who shares a passion for neuro-inclusion, was a big help to the business.”

James Peaple, who is studying a PhD having completed the BA and Master’s degree in Photography, won third prize for NeuroVision Wales CIC - a Community Interest Company 

to support neurodivergent individuals of all ages to thrive in education, employment and community life, by building confidence and practical skills while supporting schools and workplaces to become more neuro inclusive. He said:  “I feel very grateful for all the support in the Enterprise Team has given me in selecting my business idea to be part of the awards. I feel very happy and proud to have won the third place award and I really appreciate all the encouragement and the advice that I have received from participating in the competition. It will be very beneficial to the ongoing development of my CIC!”.

First prize for the winning student business idea went to Stuart Edwards who is studying the Sports Coaching and Performance degree at Coleg Sir Gâr, which is part of the UWTSD Group.  His Coach Wellbeing Initiative is an early-stage, research-informed venture focused on supporting rugby union coaches through wellbeing education, mentoring, practical resources and coach-centred development.  He said: “I’m absolutely delighted to have won this award. It is a proud moment for me personally, but also a real boost for Coach Wellbeing Initiative, an idea I believe can make a meaningful difference. I’m very grateful for the support, encouragement, and opportunity provided by UWTSD throughout the competition.”

Louise Hunt who is studying a Certificate in Higher Education in Employability Skills, won second prize for Altara an AI powered health intelligence system designed for women with real-time personalized guidance which integrates with wearables, frequency-based support.

Lyndsey Smith, who is studying the BA Early Years Education and Care, won third prize for ChildLink Cymru, giving children a voice, a record, and continuity through a secure platform for capturing children’s voices and experiences digitally.  It’s an easy-to-use tools for caregivers to record and track progress. She said: “Winning this award has completely surprised me. When my lecturer told me about the competition, I didn’t believe it was something I was able to participate in, I always talk myself out of things, believing in myself is something I really struggle with. However, I realised that I had nothing to lose by entering with an idea that is very close to my heart. Coming in third place has made me start to see my own potential and with the help of the enterprise team, who knows what the future holds!”

Further Information

Eleri Beynon

Head
Corporate Communications and PR
Email: e.beynon@uwtsd.ac.uk
Phone: 01267 676790