‘Best of Wales’ scoops Eisteddfod Dragons Den prize

Two young business partners from Machynlleth and Morganstown have become this year’s winner of a business competition held at the National Eisteddfod in Ebbw Vale.

Co-directors, Llion Pughe & Gareth Mahoney receiving award from Wales Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones AM

The ‘Gorsedd y Dreigiau’ (Gorsedd of Dragons) competition is based on the popular Dragons Den television series. It invited entrepreneurs to put forward business propositions to a panel of Welsh dragons in a battle to secure a £5,000 investment together with professional business advice to help develop their business.

The winning entrepreneurs were Llion Pughe and Gareth Mahoney from ‘Best of Wales‘, an on-line company who offer and promote high class holiday accommodation at competitive rates throughout Wales.

‘We’re delighted to have won’ said Llion. It’s a great boost for the business and means that we are now able to invest in a Welsh version of the website and run a national competition to promote Wales as a tourist destination. It has also given us a great platform to raise awareness about our company and has already led to new business opportunities – it’s all very exciting and we’re very grateful.’

The Runner up was Helen Evans from ‘Blod’, a young and unique business that creates silk flowers and accessories for weddings and special occasions based at Llanfachell, Anglesey. Third was Keith Roberts, Managing Director of Pili Pala Cyf who work with foreign travel companies to arrange their holidays in Wales.

The competition is organised by economic development company Menter a Busnes and the Welsh Assembly Government with the help of Welsh television company Telesgôp.

Menter a Busnes Chief Executive Alun Jones, said:  “This was a hugely successful competition that attracted dozens of business ideas that has clearly highlighted the Welsh spirit of enterprise, even in these difficult economic times”.

"The judges gave the contestants a real quizzing and were very impressed with the finalists”.

The judges (or Dragons!) were Gari Wyn (Ceir Cymru), Jeffrey Pugh (Pugh Computers), Janet Davies (Prysg Translation Services) and Elin Rhys (Telesgôp).

Wales Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones AM presented the prizes and congratulated the entrepreneurs on their achievement.

Alun Jones concluded: “This is the perfect platform to celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit of Welsh-speakers.  The future of the Welsh language and culture is highly dependent on creating and securing jobs in all parts of Wales, and indigenous entrepreneurs have an important role to play in developing the economy.”