Latest news with #KanishkaNarayan
Business News Wales
21-05-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
MP Launches Vale Business Accelerator in First Stage of 1,000 Jobs Pledge
Vale of Glamorgan MP Kanishka Narayan has launched a new business support programme to help people across the Vale turn their ideas into successful businesses. The scheme is part of his pledge to create 1,000 good jobs in the local tech and digital economy by 2030. The new Vale Startup Accelerator is designed to give early-stage businesses and local entrepreneurs the tools, training and support they need to grow — whether they're starting from a spare room, a local café, or a high street shop. The programme will offer: One-to-one mentoring from Kanishka himself, who previously worked as an investor helping small businesses grow across the UK, Europe and the US Free digital skills training through Google Digital Garage, covering everything from online marketing to business planning A chance to join a local Founders Roundtable, hosted by Startup Coalition, where people can share ideas and challenges with others trying to start or grow a business The opportunity to pitch for investment at a special event later this year, the Red Dragon Demo Day The Accelerator is part of Narayan's All Hands on Tech campaign, which is focused on making sure the Vale doesn't miss out as the UK's digital economy continues to grow. 'I grew up here, and I've seen the incredible ideas and energy that exist in our local communities,' said Kanishka Narayan MP. 'But too often, people don't have access to the advice, training or networks they need to get started.' 'This programme is about changing that — so if you've got an idea, if you've already started a business, or if you've always wanted to give it a go — I'd love you to apply.' The programme is free and open to anyone based in the Vale of Glamorgan — including Barry, Llantwit Major, Cowbridge and surrounding villages. You don't need a tech background or a polished business plan — just an idea, commitment, and a willingness to build something new. 'If we support local people to grow local businesses,' Narayan added, 'we can create more jobs here in the Vale, keep more young people in the area, and build a stronger, more vibrant economy for everyone.' Applications are now open. To find out more and apply, visit
Business News Wales
16-05-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
ABP's Energy Ventures Accelerator Celebrates Anniversary with Expo
ABP, the UK's leading port operator, has celebrated one year since the launch of its Energy Ventures Accelerator (EVA) initiative by bringing together hundreds of climate tech innovators, investors, corporates and public officials at the EVA Expo in London. Building on a series of regional EVA Innovation Days in Cardiff, Hull and Southampton, the EVA Expo was the initiative's largest event yet. It was hosted at the Royal Institution, an historic venue where foundational scientific discoveries have been made over the past 200 years. Guests across the startup, VC, corporate VC and civil service communities heard from two keynote speakers – Juergen Maier, Chair of GB Energy and Kanishka Narayan, MP for Vale of Glamorgan. The day also featured a series of expert panel discussions exploring the different stages of the lifecycle of a startup – from technology development, through early deployment into full commercialisation and then industrialisation. Henrik L. Pedersen, ABP's CEO, said: 'Our ports are a lot more than gateways for trade, they are also enablers of the energy transition. Our EVA initiative re-frames how ABP's port infrastructure, land and commercial ecosystem can add value to both our existing customers and to future customers as well. Over the past year, we have been delighted to see so much interest from organisations across the heavy industry, energy generation and transport sectors.' ABP's Energy Ventures Accelerator was launched in 2024 and has been supported by Plug and Play UK. The programme provides a way for ABP to explore partnership opportunities with high potential clean energy hardware startups. EVA complements ABP's sustainability strategy, 'Ready for Tomorrow', which sets out ABP's target of achieving Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions from its own operations by 2040, as well as supporting ABP customers' own decarbonisation ambitions. Max Harris, ABP Group Head of Strategy and Sustainability, who leads the EVA initiative, said: 'I am very proud of the progress we've made over the past 12 months. We've expanded ABP's reach into the vibrant innovation ecosystem of startups, investors, corporates and government agencies. 'We've identified a number of commercial partnership opportunities with great startups across our portfolio of 21 ports, and now we turn our focus to supporting the industrialisation of promising technologies alongside our corporate and investor partners. I'm excited about what's to come.' The EVA Expo also featured a selection of pitches by startups in the clean tech space, including Seabound, Blastr Green Steel and HiiROC. Earlier this year, ABP announced its intention to explore a potential collaboration with Seabound and STAX Engineering to capture ships' emissions at berth at the Port of Southampton. More recently ABP, HiiROC and PX Group have signed a strategic collaboration agreement to develop a new hydrogen production plant at Saltend Chemicals Park to meet local industrial demand. The proposed plant will use HiiROC's proprietary technology to produce affordable, low carbon hydrogen. HiiROC Founder and CEO, Tim Davies, said: 'We've been working with ABP since the start of the EVA initiative and are delighted to now be in a position to pursue a significant commercial opportunity in Hull, where we are headquartered. For us, EVA has unlocked access to ABP's excellent sites and industrial customers, which has been a strategic advantage.'
