Beacon Bursary – Dragon’s Den Competition

Two young entrepreneurs gained 12 months free office space at the Beacon after winning the prestigious Beacon Bursary Competition with their inspirational business proposals.

Web and graphic designer Owen Walters and film maker James Button are joint winners of the recent Beacon Bursary Dragon’s Den Competition and were presented with their awards at the Graduation Ceremony on Friday (July 5) at Parc y Scarlets.

Teams of students from Coleg Sir Gar and Trinity Saint David pitched their business proposals to a panel of four judges.

The final of the Beacon Bursary Competition, which was held at the Beacon for Enterprise in Dafen, was the culmination of three months hard work. Following the launch in February the finalists were supported by Business Mentors to produce a viable business plan.

The Beacon Bursary Competition provides young people with an opportunity to access a wealth of support and experience which will provide the best opportunity for their businesses to flourish.

One of the keys to the success of the initiative lies with the support offered by a team of business mentors from both private and public sector who have given up a substantial amount of time to support these fledgling businesses.

The mentors are Jonathan Williams, Business Manager, HSBC Bank; Nicola Bennett, Tata Steel; Jamie Best, Managing Director, Melin Consultancy; Dai Nicholas, Managing Director, Nicholas Marketing; Nicola Roberts, Marketing Manager, Gower College; Amanda Russell, Partner at Clay Shaw Butler; Kath Partner, Sales and Marketing Director at Roc the Dragon; and Jayne Rees, Business Manager, HSBC.

The vision for The Beacon is to act as a leading light in nurturing and training both young enterprise skills and to develop entrepreneur business talent to enter the private sector across South West Wales.

The initiative is delivered through Carmarthenshire County Council in conjunction with Coleg Sir Gâr and Trinity Saint David and forms part of the council’s commitment to developing entrepreneurship within the county.

Owen and James won 12 months free office space at the Beacon Centre for Enterprise, potential financial support, business development support provided by Business Mentors and Carmarthenshire County Council Business Team.

The other finalists were film company Broadside; Vicky & Chris Davis, ceramics; Ben Reynolds with Luv Spudz; and video games company Wheazelhead Games.

Carmarthenshire County Council executive board member for regeneration and leisure Cllr Meryl Gravell said: “I’m absolutely delighted that we have given two bursaries to these two young men who I’m positive will make a huge difference and will be even more successful with the benefit of the bursary and support.

“We are looking for more entrepreneurial people to take Carmarthenshire and Wales forward.”

Start up and Succeed with the Beacon Bursary

The Beacon Bursary is a new initiative offering an exciting opportunity for developing entrepreneurship within Carmarthenshire. The offer is open to any new individual or businesses with a Carmarthenshire postcode that have been trading for up to 24 months. The Bursary offers successful applicants 6 Months free office space at the Beacon, access to financial support as well as business mentoring from a range of different sources.

About the Beacon- through its partnerships with academia; businesses and associates makes it an ideal location to start up a young enterprise. The environment is busy, dynamic and inspiring and offers networking opportunities with a range of vibrant businesses. The vision, as well as developing business incubation schemes, to develop home grown local talent within South West Wales and develop new products and services for the region and to provide leading business Ambassadors to support and mentor fledgling businesses.

• If you think you have a good business idea?

• Have wanted to start your own business?

• Think you have got what it takes to start up and succeed?

Then contact us for further information on 01554 748807 or email Anna at AMSadler@carmarthenshire.gov.uk