Do you dream of developing your own business?
Do you have an idea but lack the funds and the expertise to take it further?
What we do
We provide awards to put business ideas into practice. This is not just an enterprise competition - its about creating a real business. Our partners at the RSA and Colleges will provide mentors to assist award winners.
How we select ideas
The awards for 2023 have now been made and details of winners are given on this site. Applications for the 2025 cohort will open in early Autumn 2024.
What we expect
There is no restriction on the business focus, but it should benefit both those involved and have some (not necessarily all) of the following features:
- Be sustainable;
- May create employment for others in the future;
- Could have the potential to be spreadable (it could be taken to another location);
- Have known demand for the product or service.
Tafflab and Covid-19
The pandemic presented challenges to all those starting new businesses but Tafflab was able to offer online support throughout.
Meet the team
Behind Tafflab lies a team of leaders, mentors and partners that supports it in its activities. Further details of each member can be found on the Trustees or Mentors page
Chris Bissex-Foster
College Enterprise Champion, The College Merthyr Tydfil
What our previous mentees say
From our 2022/23 cohort
FJD Design and Management
Finn Johnson-Denny, Business Owner
“Tafflab has not only provided me with funding that will be invaluable in helping me to get my business off the ground, but it has also opened me up to amazing mentorship from people with decades of business experience.
“Their support is enabling me to properly understand the key elements of business planning and has built my confidence in the areas I’m not so familiar with. I’d already been trading for a few months before I joined the Tafflab programme, and it’s just accelerated my progression to an extent that wouldn’t have been possible without it.”
Commons Oak
Dewi Thomas, Business owner
“The mentoring I’ve received through Tafflab has helped me to prioritise and focus on what’s most important when it comes to setting up and running a business. It has provided me with the skills I need to further develop my idea into a successful company.”
Mind and Body Consultancy
Dawn thomas, business owner
“Being part of this programme has given me the opportunity to connect with previous members of the Tafflab cohort who understand my position, having gone through it themselves. Their insights and experiences have been really helpful, and it has been amazing seeing their positivity and support as they have championed my new businesses.”
Contact us
We always welcome those who wish to know more about our activities.
We can be found at
Coleg y Cymoedd, Ystrad Mynach Campus, Twyn Road, Ystrad Mynach, Hengoed, CF82 7XR.