Two founding directors of the Welsh Innovation Centre for Enterprise (Welsh ICE) have been named Startup Entrepreneurs of the Year at the Great British Entrepreneur Regional Awards 2019.
Gareth Jones and Mandy Weston received their awards at a ceremony in Cardiff on Wednesday, September 18.
The duo, founded Town Square Spaces in 2017, which has since secured contracts to set up and run co-working spaces and provide startup support in North Wales, West Sussex, Oxfordshire and across South Wales.
Speaking after the win, co-founder Ms Weston said it was an honour to be recognised amongst so many promising startups.
She said: “In what’s felt like a whirlwind 18 months, we’ve been humbled by the support and feedback we’ve received.
“It’s not been easy and there have been as many hurdles as there have been successes, but moments like this are a chance to take stock and realise how far we have come in such a short space of time.
“Enterprise is strong in Wales, you only have to look at the other names shortlisted alongside us to see that.
There’s a reason the startup scene is growing, particularly in tech. Yes, our connectivity is building and there are more opportunities now than before, but as with most things, it’s down to the people.
“Gareth and I have been lucky enough to work with some of these exceptional people, from parents quitting their job to start a skincare company through to tech creators closing out investment rounds; founders are doing extraordinary things.
They are building the very economies that our futures will rest upon, and we’re proud to be a small part of that.”
Founder of the awards, Francesca James, said: “Gareth and Mandy are thoroughly deserving of this award, and the Town Square ethos is very much in line with the spirit of the Great British Entrepreneurs community that we’re proud to have them part of.
“They are passionate about making a positive contribution to businesses and the individuals behind them and when you talk to Gareth or Mandy that passion is not only obvious but infectious too.”