A young entrepreneur from Anglesey has become the first ever winner of a brand new business competition at the National Eisteddfod in Bala.

The 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 for up to £5,000 investment and professional business advice to help turn their idea into reality.

The winning entrepreneur was Guto Roberts from Benllech, Ynys Môn who presented a business idea for a surfboard repair company. Runner up was Elen Wyn Lloyd from Llanfair Dyffryn Clwyd near Ruthin who intends to establish a business that combines wellbeing and keeping fit with the environment. Third was Shelley Rees who is hoping to set up a Welsh medium nursery in Swansea.

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 new business ideas that has clearly highlighted the Welsh spirit of enterprise, even in these difficult economic times.“

“The judges were so impressed with the standard of the competition that one even offered to personally invest in one particular enterprise over and above the prize money.“

The judges (or Dragons!) were Gari Wyn (co-founder and owner of Ceir Cymru), Margaret Thomas (Co-founder and owner of Aran Lamb, Llanuwchllyn), Alun Roberts (director of Maneg, a business consultancy based in Gwynedd) and Elin Rhys (Managing Director of 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 and we very much hope that this will now become an annual competition at the National Eisteddfod.”