Three animation students from the University of Glamorgan scooped the main award at the very first Future Entrepreneur Awards held in Cardiff last on December 3.
Launched by the University’s Centre for Enterprise, and School of Cultural and Creative Industries, the award is intended to encourage students and graduates across Wales to become the entrepreneurs of the future.
The winning company Garden Galaxies is the brain child of Toke Jepsen, 22, Sam Wright, 21, and Leon Dexter, 23, who impressed judges with their unique concept for a children’s animation series.
The proposed series follows the adventures of a group of aliens living on planets where they can grow their own fruit and vegetables, exploring the themes of sustainable living and healthy eating.
Leon Dexter, 23, from Caerphilly said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have won this award and the support we will receive as winners is invaluable. Our idea is unique because we have taken very topical themes and made them relevant to a young audience. There is nothing else available for young children that introduces the issue of sustainability in such an accessible way.”
As well as the animation series, the winners have devised ideas for Garden Galaxies merchandise that could be sold in garden centres nationally.
The team will now receive a complete support package to help turn their business dream into reality. This will include financial support, business mentoring and access to a Business Angel to help promote their product in the marketplace.
This year entries were restricted to students and graduates of the University of Glamorgan and its partner colleges, but in subsequent years will be open Wales-wide.
The finalists for the awards were required to pitch their business ideas before a Dragon’s Den style judging panel made up of industry experts.
The inaugural award presentation took place during the well-established Wales Quality Awards in Cardiff City Hall. Chairman of the Wales Quality Centre Vincent Kane said: “I am delighted by this new initiative from University of Glamorgan. Entrepreneurs are people who make things happen. They pick up an idea – their own or somebody else’s, – they make it work, and they take it to the market place successfully. Wales will need people like that in the future; lots of them. So if this new award catches the imagination of clever university students and turns them on, we are on our way! My warmest congratulations to the winner. The entrepreneurship of young people in Wales will be recognised for the first time this year by an award scheme set up specifically to honour their skills in enterprise.”
Supporter of the award Phil Cooper, Chief Executive of Venture Wales added: “Future successful entrepreneurs are vital for the Welsh economy and Venture Wales is proud to support this award which has motivated and inspired graduates to become the entrepreneurs of the future. Their energy and enthusiasm to take their idea and grow a business from being an idea to becoming a viable venture will be nurtured and supported by Venture Wales. Starting and growing a company is an exhilarating, if occasionally bumpy, ride for entrepreneurs, especially in this economic climate. But it is always a journey that can benefit from sound advice and support, which is why Venture Wales has assembled a highly experienced team with substantial knowledge of a range of business situations and challenges to help graduates on their voyage.”
Colin Voisey, a visiting Professor at the University is the organiser of the awards scheme.
He said: “We received almost 50 entries for the award this year which is an amazing response from Glamorgan students. I have been impressed with the enthusiasm of all of the entrants and the quality of the business ideas they put forward. All three shortlisted companies have the potential to go on to have a highly successful future.”
The Awards are also supported by the Welsh Assembly Government, Xenos, Computer World Wales, The Wales Quality Centre and Roland UK.
