This is a past event. Registration is closed. View other Technology Connected events.
Michael Bakewell
Deputy Fund Manager at Development Bank of WalesI work with technology-focused businesses in north and mid-Wales. I can help start-ups and early stage companies looking to develop and commercialise their ideas.
I joined the Development Bank of Wales’ technology ventures investment team in August 2019. I work with technology-focused Welsh businesses and those looking to move to Wales to secure strong intellectual property positions as they grow. I am in our Wrexham HW, where my focus is on business opportunities in north and mid-Wales.
I have worked in the technology venture capital sector, across Wales and the north of England, since the early 2000s. I have successfully invested in companies working in a variety of technology markets ranging from software to energy efficiency, through to medical devices and novel materials.
I have an MBA from the Open Business School.
Dr Carl Griffiths
Wales Technology Seed Fund Manager at Development Bank of WalesDr Carl Griffiths is the Technology Seed Fund Manager at Finance Wales. He holds a PhD in Physics from Cardiff University and is the former CEO and founder of Seren Photonics Ltd.
Prior to founding Seren, Carl worked as the Principal Research Engineer for BICC Cables Ltd and also founded ORS Ltd, a manufacturer of optical probes for the semiconductor industries. He was the Managing Director for ORS for eight years, running the business and raising equity funding before becoming Investment Manager at VC firm Fusion IP plc.
Carl now focuses on investing in IP rich Welsh technology ventures with the potential to be high growth companies. Carl has invested in several different technology sectors including engineering, software and materials. With new and follow-on investment experience, Carl aims to develop lasting successful relationships with the businesses he invests in.
Carl has worked with several commercial due diligence providers and co-investors and is adept at helping businesses shape and develop their ideas.
Alex Leigh
Investment Executive at Development Bank of WalesAlex is a technology-focused investment professional with a track-record of operational value creation. His experience ranges from pre-product start-ups to highly cash-generative FTSE 250 companies in both emerging and developed economies.
Alex has completed numerous transactions in venture capital and lower mid-market private equity. His early career was in engineering, tech start-ups and entrepreneurship followed by industry-leading investment training from blue-chip investment bank co-investors. He has strong operational improvement/turnaround experience for numerous high-profile UK brands such as Rileys Sports Bars and Frankie & Benny’s.
Richard Rees
CFO at Creo Medical
Andrew Tuite
Business Advisor at Business in FocusComing from an entrepreneurial family Andrew moved to Wales from Ireland in 2003 to study Sound Technology. After graduating from University, he set up a recording studio with an aim of nurturing young talent in South Wales. Frustrated with the lack of opportunity for young talent he decided to set up a record label putting the band at the heart of everything the label did. In 2012 the label worked on it last project and Andrew took a job teaching sound technology and music business at the Uni of South Wales. He also worked for Apple supporting businesses with migrating their operations from windows to mac.
In 2014 he set up an educational technology consultancy with a colleague with the aim of help schools integrate technology in their classroom activities. One of the highlights of this was working on a project with Welsh Government to improve the Hwb+ virtual learning environment for teachers.
In 2016 Andrew completed his MBA at Cardiff Uni and then took a job with Business Wales. While being a general business adviser he has a keen interest in the tech start-up sector and is currently supporting several tech start-ups bootstrap their business.