Brecon based startup The Foundry has been named a finalist ahead of the Welsh final of the StartUp Awards.

The UK StartUp Awards was launched to recognise the booming start-up scene across the UK which has accelerated over the last few years with over 900,000 new businesses founded in the UK in 2023, a 12% increase from the year before.

Over 900 businesses have been shortlisted for this year’s UK StartUp Awards and the contribution of these firms - all of which were started in the last three years - is significant, having created nearly 6,000 new jobs since they were established and generating annual sales of £480 million.

The Foundry is a Music Venue, Bar & Kitchen founded by Dean Richards in October 2022. The business has been nominated for the Hospitality & Events StartUp of the Year StartUp of the Year Award in Wales.

Dean Richards, founder of The Foundry, said: “Starting and running this business is one of the most challenging things I have ever done. There are huge highs, but also lows, lows in this industry, especially in a town that relies so much on tourism, so to be recognised regionally is an honour.”

The cohort of finalists will be considered for the regional prizes by a panel of seasoned judges with experience founding or supporting entrepreneurial ventures. The winners from each region will then be invited to the first UK final taking place at Ideas Fest, the Glastonbury for Business festival in Tring, Hertfordshire on September 12, 2024.

Professor Dylan Jones-Evans OBE, the creator of the UK StartUp Awards, said: “Start-up businesses are the lifeblood of any economy, being responsible for new jobs, innovation and wealth creation across the UK. All the finalists this year represent the best of those entrepreneurs who have spotted an opportunity and through their sheer hard work, talent and perseverance, have created amazing new businesses that are creating real impact in their sectors.”

The UK StartUp Awards was created in collaboration with the team behind the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, one of the most successful awards programmes in the UK.