Brecon-based startup Cascave Gin has been named a finalist ahead of the Powys 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. 

Cascave is a small-batch gin company founded by Julie Davies and her two daughters Heidi and Naomi in 2022. The business has been nominated for the Rural Business StartUp of the Year Award in Powys. 

"We are deeply honored by this recognition," said Heidi Davies, co-founder of Cascave Gin. "Our journey from the incredible landscapes of the Brecon Beacons to being acknowledged among the finalists underscores our commitment to producing exceptional authentic Welsh gin while fostering rural entrepreneurship and community. 

“We are grateful to the UK StartUp Awards and to every one of our customers who have been instrumental in our success. Being nominated as a finalist in the UK StartUp Awards reaffirms our belief in the rural spirit and inspires us for the journey ahead." 

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. B

uilding on the success of previous years, we are now looking to identify the ‘best of the best’ with all the finalists who win their category in their region going on to represent their region at the first ever UK National StartUp Awards final later this year”. 

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. The UK StartUp Awards are running for the third year after launching in 2022.