Five Welsh entrepreneurs recognised as start-up accelerator celebrates latest award winners

Five Welsh entrepreneurs have been recognised for outstanding progress after completing the Business Wales Start-Up Accelerator, with the latest cohort underlining how intensive, targeted support can turn early-stage ideas into investment-ready businesses.

The award winners completed the ten-week accelerator programme and were recognised across five categories, reflecting both the breadth and quality of entrepreneurial talent emerging across Wales. Collectively, the cohort demonstrated strong momentum in moving from concept to customer, validating propositions and building clear growth strategies.

The 2026 award winners

Proposition Flex Award

For the most flexible approach to developing a launch proposition

Winner: Chris Hughes, Tecwila

Founded in Anglesey, Tecwila is a flavour-led spirits brand working with a Mexican distillery to produce consistent, small-batch spirits for the UK market. During the programme, the business completed initial production and brand development and is now preparing for wider distribution.

Accelerator Award

For the individual who made the most progress during the programme

Winner: Dr Emma Marie Williams, GlitterBrain Psychology

GlitterBrain provides psychology-based self-help and therapy resources for adults, including neurodivergent clients. The platform focuses on practical, accessible mental health and life-management tools designed to create lasting change through small, achievable steps.

Dr Williams said: “Winning the Accelerator Award feels brilliant because it shows how far we’ve come. Ten weeks ago, I had passion and a vision but no clear strategy. The programme helped me test my assumptions and hone my business skills, and now I have a clear growth plan.”

Sales Accelerator Award

For the most ambition shown in building and accelerating a sales funnel

Winner: Silvia Sanchez, Classer Ltd

Classer offers software that helps GoPro and action-camera users organise, store and share video footage, enabling customers to manage large volumes of content and relive their experiences more easily.

Accelerator Champion Award

For commitment and positive mindset throughout the programme

Winner: Sakshi Mahajan, Hashview

Hashview is a next-generation trust engine for SMEs, combining SaaS analytics, AI-driven sentiment analysis and geo-fencing technology to deliver real-time, authentic customer feedback.

Most Collaborative Participant Award

For exceptional support of peers during the programme

Winner: Vignesh Pathmaraj, Elements Technik (Elements Supply AI)

Elements Supply AI provides AI-powered procurement and spare-parts intelligence for manufacturing and industrial businesses, streamlining sourcing and supplier management through automation and data-driven insights.

Accelerator impact: LanoTech’s £470k investment pipeline

The latest cohort’s success comes as applications open for the next Start-Up Accelerator programme, running from 12 May to 17 July 2026. The programme’s longer-term impact is illustrated by Aberystwyth-based LanoTech, which has secured a £470,000 investment pipeline since graduating in July 2025.

LanoTech is pioneering the use of lanolin — the natural grease found in sheep’s wool — as a sustainable alternative to soy and vegetable oils in animal feed. Following the accelerator, the company secured £120,000 through the Welsh Government’s Contracts for Innovation Cymru Programme to fund world-first live poultry feed trials. Founder Clodagh Weingart later secured a further £350,000 from Innovate UK for a project commencing in 2026.

Laboratory testing has shown lanolin to have a higher gross energy content than conventional feed oils, positioning the business to create new value streams for British wool producers while reducing agriculture’s carbon footprint.

“The foundation provided by the Start-Up Accelerator has been instrumental in positioning LanoTech for scale-up,” said Weingart. “The programme gave me the structure to develop a compelling investment case and the confidence to articulate our vision to funders. Moving from concept to securing nearly half a million pounds in funding within months of graduating demonstrates the practical impact of that intensive support.”

Lucy Jones, Operations Manager of the Business Wales Start-Up Accelerator, said the results reflect exactly what the programme is designed to deliver.

“Seeing founders secure investment, land first customers and refine their business models is the core purpose of the Start-Up Accelerator,” she said. “LanoTech’s success shows how structured methodology, expert guidance and a strong peer network combine to create the conditions for growth.”

The Start-Up Accelerator forms part of the Accelerated Growth Programme, a Business Wales service funded by the Welsh Government. Over ten weeks, founders are supported to validate demand, refine their offer and secure early customers through webinars, masterclasses, one-to-one mentoring and access to investors and sector specialists. AI tools are also integrated to support market research, creativity and speed to market.

The programme targets Wales-based entrepreneurs with pre-revenue ideas capable of reaching £1 million in annual turnover, creating at least ten full-time jobs and exporting by 2029. Funding support is available to remove barriers to participation.

Applications for the May 2026 Start-Up Accelerator close on Monday 30 March 2026, with expressions of interest available via Business Wales.