Entrepreneurs in Carmarthen have a new state-of-the-art business incubation space at their disposal, with the launch of an Enterprise Hub, run by Business In Focus at Canolfan S4C Yr Egin – a new creative and digital centre based at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David’s campus in the town.
Lee Waters AM, Deputy Minister for Economy and Transport, cut the ribbon on the hub, based at Yr Egin, saying the site will bring exciting opportunities for start-ups in the region.
The Enterprise Hub is one of a pair that will be managed by Business In Focus for the next three years, with the other sited in Newtown, Powys. Business In Focus is a social enterprise with a portfolio of properties across South Wales where it houses small businesses, as well as offering tailored consultancy services to SMEs.
At the end of last year the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Transport, Ken Skates, announced the locations of a suite of Enterprise Hubs across Wales as part of the Welsh Government’s drive to support business entrepreneurs, underpinned by a £4 million investment programme.
Katy Chamberlain, Chief Executive at Business In Focus, said: “We are very pleased to see Carmarthen’s flagship Enterprise Hub being unveiled and we look forward to supporting scores of ambitious business men and women to establish successful firms from these centres. We know there is a real well-spring of entrepreneurship in this region, and we have many years of experience in helping to support fledgling businesses to thrive.
“Setting up a business brings with it great excitement and opportunities, but it brings its own challenges too, and, in our experience, having a seasoned mentor on hand to offer support, insights and guidance is invaluable.
“We all have a vested interest in seeing Wales thrive, and since 99 percent of businesses in Wales are SMEs it is clear that successful small companies form the bedrock of our economy. So this investment in new Enterprise Hubs is very welcome.”
With S4C as the anchor tenant, Yr Egin is also home to a range of companies in the creative industries including multi-media publishing and digital technology; digital education; video production and photography; post production; graphic design; translation and sub-titling as well as financial management for the creative industries.
Professor Medwin Hughes DL, Vice Chancellor at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) said:“UWTSD is delighted to host one of the Welsh Government’s Enterprise Hubs at Yr Egin and is pleased to be working in partnership with a range of organisations to deliver this new business facility for west Wales.
“With a strong emphasis on nurturing new talent and a commitment to supporting start-up and scale-up companies in both the creative and digital sectors, both the University and Yr Egin are very well-placed to meet the needs of the growing business community within the region.” continues Professor Hughes.
“The development of the Carmarthen hub will enable Yr Egin to work closely with Business In Focus as well as other key partners to provide students as well as members of the community with the knowledge, skills and motivation to encourage entrepreneurial success.”
Led by Business in Focus, the Hub programme will be a strong team effort supported by partners Tramshed Tech and Wales Co-Operative Centre and backed by Carmarthen and Pembrokeshire County Councils. Whilst the hubs in Carmarthen and Newtown will provide a central focus, the hub programme will engage with individuals and businesses in the counties of Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Powys. Satellite locations will host events and activities and enable local people to join the Hubs’ community. The Enterprise Hubs are funded by the Welsh Government with the support of European Regional Development Fund.