Thursday night’s Den Y Dreigiau 2025 event at M-SParc brought together some of North Wales’ brightest entrepreneurs, celebrating an evening of ambition, creativity, and community spirit. Capalona was proud to play a key role in the event, with Co-Founder Rich Wilcock joining the Dragons panel to help judge the impressive lineup of early stage businesses.
“It was a brilliant evening — and a real honour to sit on the Dragons panel at M-SParc,” said Rich. “I had the chance to meet so many founders from across North Wales, all doing incredible things and pushing the region’s innovation forward.”
Rich was joined by Capalona Co-Founders Simon Moorcroft and Jamie Moorcroft, who helped judge the Rising Star prize and actively supported the evening as part of the local business community.
Judges on the Dragons panel at Den Y Dreigiau 2025. Photo Credit: M-SParc
Best Pitch Winner: Dr Owain James (Darogan)
A huge congratulations goes to Dr Owain James from Darogan, who took home the Best Pitch of the Night award. With such a strong lineup of founders, the judges agreed that choosing a winner was far from easy — every pitch was impressive and full of potential.
Owain’s presentation stood out for its clarity and thoroughness, covering every aspect of his business idea while clearly demonstrating its future potential. His win reflects the innovation and entrepreneurial drive that Den Y Dreigiau was created to spotlight.
Dr Owain James from Darogan wins best pitch of the night. Photo Credit: M-SParc
Capalona’s Rising Star Award: Tristian Griffiths (YEM – Your Empowered Mindset)
In addition to the main competition, Capalona proudly sponsored a special Rising Star prize, created to recognise a founder demonstrating exceptional promise, purpose, and potential.
This year’s Rising Star recipient was Tristan Griffiths, founder of YEM (Your Empowered Mindset) — a business dedicated to supporting the mental health of young footballers across North Wales. As part of the prize, Capalona gifted Tristan a MacBook to help support and accelerate his mission.
Tristian Griffiths from Your Empowered Mindset accepting the prize from Capalona. Photo Credit: M-SParc
Tristian shared what the recognition meant to him:
“To win the Rising Star Award honestly means more to me than a person would think! You invest so much of your time, effort and heart into your business — and as with most SMEs, a lot of that involves some form of rejection, push-back or obstacle.
The fact that Capalona sponsored the Rising Star Award and a MacBook for the winner can really boost morale and offer some hard-earned recognition for effort.
I’m hoping there’s much more I can do with Jamie, Simon and Rich, and to have met them on the evening was a pleasure.
Being recognised as the winner of the Rising Star Award at the Dragon’s Den Evening at M-SParc not only elevates me and my business profile, but it gives me serious credibility in new and existing discussions around my provision. I’m very happy to have won and appreciate the sentiment massively!”
With pitches filled with passion and purpose, Den Y Dreigiau 2025 highlighted the exceptional entrepreneurial talent growing across the region. “Nights like this really highlight the talent and drive that’s growing in North Wales,” Rich added. “Every founder who pitched brought real potential — it was inspiring to watch.”
Capalona is proud to continue supporting local founders and helping innovative businesses take their next steps forward.
FAQs
0330 223 5036