1 July 2022

The StartUp Awards National Series is a collaboration between the founders of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards and the Wales Start-Up Awards, the only regional awards currently celebrating new businesses in the UK.

Sponsored by Universities Wales, the Graduate StartUp category is open to any start-up in Wales which has been founded by an individual (or individuals) who have graduated from a Welsh university in the past three years.

Founded by Alex-Ioan Coldea, a Computer Sciences graduate from Swansea University, Dill works with schools, local authorities, universities and colleges across the UK to implement software intensive solutions that remove hardware excess, lower maintenance costs and streamline catering services.

Kelly Jordan, Senior Enterprise Officer at Swansea University, said:

“It’s fantastic to see both Alex and his business Dill going from strength to strength. He is a true entrepreneur, continuously looking at problems he has encountered and developing digital solutions effectively and at speed to take them to market. His app Dill is taking universities by storm, cutting wait times and increasing productivity and profit. This award amongst others he has won is truly deserved.”

Amanda Wilkinson, Director of Universities Wales, congratulated the winners and highlighted the importance of graduate businesses to the Welsh economy:

“On behalf of Universities Wales I’d like to congratulate Dill who triumphed against some very strong competition – the strength of which is a testament to the level of entrepreneurial talent coming out of Welsh universities

“While Dill were the deserved winners on the night, all of the businesses shortlisted share an enthusiasm and entrepreneurial spirit that should be championed and celebrated
 
“Graduate start-ups are a vital part of Wales’ economy. Our universities do excellent work supporting graduate entrepreneurs as they set up new businesses, and we can be proud in Wales to have the highest proportion of graduate start-ups per capita in the UK.

“With the challenges facing our society and economy, nurturing and developing the graduate start-up sector will be crucial in Wales’ future prosperity and in creating a vibrant and diverse economy.”