Over 80 Swansea start-ups get over £80k funding support

Dozens of start-up businesses in Swansea have benefitted from funding worth more than £80,000 in the last year or so the council have announced.

Figures for April 2021 to March 2022 show 87 start-up businesses received funding to help cover the costs of work including website design, training courses and equipment.

Run by Swansea Council, funding schemes include the Swansea Start-up Grant and the UK Steel Enterprise Start-up Grant.

Also run by Swansea Council’s business support team is a Swansea Start-up Enterprise Club, which holds monthly workshops with expert speakers to give new businesses tips in areas including social media, employment law and networking.

Cllr Robert Francis-Davies, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Investment and Tourism, said: “It’s very satisfying that the council has been able to support so many start-up businesses in Swansea – many of which couldn’t have afforded to set up without financial assistance.

“These figures show Swansea has so much entrepreneurial talent, with some of these new businesses also boosting footfall and spending in our city centre.

“We’re here for our businesses, and will continue to do all we can to help.”

Among the businesses to have benefitted from start-up funding support are Super Bio Boost on High Street, and Crochenwaith Llwyndu Pottery in Glais.

Specialising in holistic health products made from naturally grown plants and herbs, Super Bio Boost received Swansea Start-up Grant funding.

Owner Franck Banza (pictured top) said: “The grant was used to design and build the Super Bio Boost website, which is so important for the business due to the variety of information on the holistic health products we provide.

“Finance is the biggest obstacle when starting a business, and receiving a grant – small or big – makes a huge difference. The grant has allowed me to plan properly and move quicker towards my short-term plans.”

Benefiting from a UK Steel Enterprise Start-up Grant, Crochenwaith Llwyndu Pottery makes a range of decorative ceramic figures – many of which are Welsh-themed.

Owner Siwan Thomas said: “I used the grant to buy a wide range of tools for the business, including rolling guides, bead racks and a turntable. This allowed the business to create a wider range of products and increase capacity at the same time.

“Money can be limited when starting out and it would have been a big outlay otherwise, so I’m very grateful for the help.”

(Lead image: Swansea Council)