M-SParc issued an open invitation to innovators across the region, and 14 businesses stepped forward to brave the Dragons. Every business delivered under pressure, sharing bold ideas across AI, health tech, virtual production, cyber security, sport-tech, e-commerce, and more.
The panel of Dragons for the evening were:
Each Dragon brought sector insight, financial expertise, and challenge where it counted, while also offering generous encouragement and practical guidance to every founder.
A special moment of the night came with the presentation of the Kieran Thomas Hughes Memorial Award, which honours the legacy of Kieran — the inaugural member of the Skills Academy whose enthusiasm, kindness, and work ethic set the bar for those who followed.
This year’s award went to Guto Evans, a third-year aerospace engineering student, summer intern at M-SParc, and one of the night’s pitchers with his platform O Gymru. Guto was chosen for his curiosity, creativity, leadership, and the maturity he demonstrated throughout his internship and entrepreneurial journey.
The Best Pitch of the Evening went to Owain James, founder of Darogan, a career-finding platform helping Welsh graduates connect with opportunities and build their futures here in Wales.
Owain received the audience door pot of £300, donated entirely by attendees in support of the winning idea
The Rising Star Award, presented by Rich Wilcock, recognised Tristian Griffiths, founder of Your Empowered Mindset (YEM); a mindset and wellbeing coach with a growing specialism in player-care support for football teams.
Thanks to sponsor Capalona, Tristian took home a brand-new MacBook to support the next stage of his business.
Founder of Your Empowered Mindset
Two pitches received special recognition from the Dragons:
Both demonstrated standout potential, clarity and commercial readiness.
This year’s line-up represented an impressive cross-section of sectors and emerging technologies:
Pelly – global football data analytics
ValArt – collectible organisation & valuation platform
Scienap – digital health-sector platform
Darogan – career-matching for Welsh graduates
Eryri Consulting – AI innovation
Onen AI – AI-powered gaming platform
Graze Guard – protective spray reducing turf burn
O Gymru – ecommerce for Welsh goods & services
GrantPal – AI grant finder & bid-writing support
BuildBoss – secure, transparent payments for construction
QR Siren – cyber-secure QR scanning to detect scams
Vedri Studio – North Wales’ first virtual production studio
Task Concierge – on-demand gig-economy app
YEM – mindset & wellbeing coaching, specialising in sport
Five of the fourteen companies came from the latest Level Up accelerator cohort, showcasing the strength of M-SParc’s talent pipeline.
Den y Dreigiau 2025 highlighted not just the ideas, but the community behind them — mentors, experts, supporters, and peers who make North Wales a place where innovation can thrive.
Congratulations to all the pitchers, winners, Dragons and supporters who helped make the night unforgettable.
Den Y Dreigiau will return in 2026. To join our ecosystem, get in touch with Lois.
Bangor University
Capalona
Business Support Manager, M-SParc
tom@m-sparc.com
Tom used to work at the KFC in his hometown of Colwyn Bay before it mysteriously burned down. He then spent several years “on the lam” in East Germany, where he worked as an animator in Berlin. When the wall fell, Tom came home.
He enjoys climbing and hates ice-skating.
