Boost Cymru finalists announced

A number of innovative Welsh tech and science projects have made it through to the finals of a competition promoting life sciences in Wales.

An environmentally friendly bio-pesticide, collagen harvested from jellyfish and an app to help sufferers of lung disease are among the innovative projects to reach the final stages of Boost Cymru.

Run by Cardiff-based Life Sciences Hub Wales, the competition was set up to encourage new ideas, products or services from Welsh businesses, organisations and individuals that have market potential. 

The competition was launched in March, and a panel of expert judges have now whittled down the entries to just five projects, which are now ready to go to the final round.

As part of the final, each project will get one-to-one business support sessions to help them create business plans and prepare for their last ever pitch at the competition.

The winning project will be announced at a ceremony in the Park Plaza Hotel in Cardiff on October 6th and will receive a prize fund worth £50,000. This is thanks to sponsorship from companies including Microsoft, MSD, Greaves Brewster and GE.

That’s not all, though. The package will also include support and mentoring, as well as the opportunity to travel to the US to take part on an award-winning senior leadership training course.

Dr Ian Barwick, chief operating officer of the Life Sciences Hub, said: “Boost Cymru has already proved to be a huge success, attracting a high calibre of entrants from across Wales and demonstrating the strength and vibrancy of our fast-growing life sciences sector.

“We hope the expert mentoring and support all entrants received will have been invaluable to their business, whether or not they go on to win.

“We look forward to seeing who is ultimately crowned the first ever Boost Cymru winner in October.”