With bespoke support structures, routes to key markets, and access to key decision makers, Wales is a place for business to take root and grow quickly. Find out how these companies based in Wales are growing their businesses.
MicroLink Devices UK embraces the power of a compound semiconductor community
Good partnerships are crucial in business. That’s technology companies are so interested in Wales' CS Connected - a cluster of organisations involved in the research, development, innovation and manufacturing of compound semiconductor-related technologies is the first of its kind anywhere in the world.
One such technology leader is MicroLink Devices UK which operates a high-volume solar cell fabrication facility at Baglan Bay Innovation Centre in South Wales.
The company was founded in Chicago, USA and specialises in the design, development and manufacture of advanced solar arrays for spacecraft and aircraft, and for terrestrial applications. MicroLink’s solar cells have been taken on two space missions as part of the Materials International Space Station Experiment (MISSE). MicroLink’s solar cells also are the technology of choice for High Altitude Pseudo Satellites (HAPS) for manufacturers such as Airbus and BAE where a high power/weight ratio combined flexibility is critical.
As Microlink Director, Steve Whitby, explains, the collaborative power of the cluster can’t be overstated.
'The main thing for businesses like ourselves is to move rapidly from pure research into development, then a very quick transition into manufacturing, so that transition can be as smooth and as fast as possible.
'Wales is extremely good at this and its academic institutions such as Cardiff University and Swansea University are very prevalent in those areas.'
More information: Business Wales - MicroLink Devices
Awen Collective
On average ten significant cyberattacks are recorded every month by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies.
That's the international threat that Caerphilly-based Awen Collective is working with other cybersecurity companies to counter.
Co-led by Executive and Co-Founding Director Daniel Lewis, the company have emerged as one of the foremost cybersecurity start-ups in Wales, thanks to a vast array of knowledge, expertise and software solutions. It is a past winner of the Cyber Den competition at the CyberUK exhibition and collaborates with the likes of the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
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Awen’s innovative solutions help protect critical infrastructure facilities, such as oil and gas pipelines or water reserves, that often are sited in remote locations and may only be visited infrequently by maintenance teams. Awen monitors such facilities for anomalies and atypical behaviour that could potentially represent a malicious attack.
Part of Awen Collective's strength is that it is part of a thriving cyber ecosystem in Wales. According to the National Digital Exploitation Centre, the Welsh cyber industry employs over 45,000 people and contributes more than £8bn a year to the Welsh economy. In addition, the Cyber Wales trade group has more than 2,000 members, who gather to exchange information and share best practice.
'None of us can tackle the cyber security need of society by ourselves. We exist in an ecosystem, and we are continually building a community of friends, to help solve these problems, together,' says Lewis.
More information: Business Wales - Awen Collective
Awen’s innovative solutions help protect critical infrastructure facilities, such as oil and gas pipelines or water reserves, that often are sited in remote locations and may only be visited infrequently by maintenance teams. Awen monitors such facilities for anomalies and atypical behaviour that could potentially represent a malicious attack.
Part of Awen Collective's strength is that it is part of a thriving cyber ecosystem in Wales. According to the National Digital Exploitation Centre, the Welsh cyber industry employs over 45,000 people and contributes more than £8bn a year to the Welsh economy. In addition, the Cyber Wales trade group has more than 2,000 members, who gather to exchange information and share best practice.
'None of us can tackle the cyber security need of society by ourselves. We exist in an ecosystem, and we are continually building a community of friends, to help solve these problems, together,' says Lewis.
More information: Business Wales - Awen Collective
