Llwyddo’n Lleol offers west Wales university graduates and students the chance to win up to £1,000 to start a business

In collaboration with Aberystwyth University, Llwyddo’n Lleol is offering business training for students and graduates in the ARFOR region who wish to start a business.

This training programme welcomes applications from individuals who are students or graduates of either Aberystwyth University, Bangor University or the University of Wales Trinity St David, the three universities in the ARFOR region. As part of the programme, successful candidates will have sessions with business experts focusing on aspects such as marketing, financial management, and attracting customers. As well as specialist support, participants will also receive £300 in financial support to develop their business idea.

Adam Jones (Adam yn yr Ardd) will guide the sessions and challenge the individuals to use their imagination in proposing solutions to business problems. Adam is one of Aberystwyth University’s brightest graduates, and an experienced facilitator in both the fields of higher education and careers.

According to Adam: “This course is the perfect opportunity to hear from entrepreneurs who have already been in your shoes and can share their advice and experience to help get you on your way.

“As a graduate of Aberystwyth University who has set up his own business in recent years, I would have certainly jumped at an opportunity like this which is both free of charge and through the medium of Welsh!”

Dylan Glyn is a former Bangor University student who has already benefited from Llwyddo’n Lleol’s business support. Dylan successfully applied for support from the Llwyddo’n Lleol project through the Mentro initiative.

From this support, Dylan gained the boost and the confidence he needed to open his first shop, Cymro Vintage, on Caernarfon’s high street. The store is now going from strength to strength!

Dylan said: “Llwyddo’n Lleol has been very helpful to me. The project helped me gain the confidence I needed to put every effort into developing the business.

“The experience has also given me the confidence that I can do anything with the business, even after other people suggested I wouldn’t succeed.

“Being around people who believed in you and with the same mindset was really a boost for us all as young entrepreneurs.”

If you, like Dylan, have a business idea that needs to be realised, or if you see that there is a gap in the market, then apply for this opportunity today.

There are spaces for 12 individuals to join the business training programme which will take place on the Aberystwyth University campus during the weekend of 15–17 November 2024.

Accommodation is available if required. The workshops will be held through the medium of Welsh, so those taking part need to be able to both understand and communicate in Welsh.

At the end of the residency weekend, there will be an opportunity for the individuals to share their business ideas in front of a panel of judges with the aim of winning a prize worth up to £1000.

The application window is now open and the deadline (3 November) is fast approaching. So don’t hesitate and apply today by filling out the application form which can be found here.