A Labour MP has launched a ‘Y Combinator for Wales’ in a bid to support budding tech talent in the country.
MP for the Vale of Glamorgan, Kanishka Narayan, has unveiled the Vale Startup Accelerator – a first-of-its-kind programme to support early-stage businesses and unlock the region’s entrepreneurial potential.
Backed by local and national partners, the Accelerator will provide tailored mentoring, digital skills training, expert networking opportunities, and exposure to investors. The goal of the project is to turn promising ideas into successful enterprises and ensure founders in the Vale have the tools they need to thrive.
Participants will receive one-on-one mentoring with Narayan – drawing on his experience advising FTSE boards, startup founders, and sovereign governments across Europe and the US. Before entering Parliament, he was an investor in climate and fintech startups and remains a passionate advocate for social mobility and inclusive growth.
Alongside bespoke mentoring, participants will gain access to Google Digital Garage, a nationally recognised programme providing free training in digital skills – from online marketing to data analytics – to help startups grow faster and smarter.
They’ll also join a Founders Roundtable, co-hosted with the Startup Coalition, offering a collaborative space to share challenges, refine strategy, and connect with peers and industry experts. The year will culminate in the flagship Red Dragon Demo Day (Y Ddraig Goch), where startups will pitch to local and international investors, with opportunities to gain funding, strategic partnerships, and media exposure.
“I grew up here, and have a deep sense of the ambition and creativity that exists in every corner of the Vale,” said Kanishka Narayan MP. “This isn’t about bringing something new in – it’s about backing the talent that’s already here, and giving it the platform it deserves.”
The original Y Combinator programme, which includes $500k in investment, was co-founded in California 20 years ago by British entrepreneur Paul Graham. It receives financial backing from Sequoia Capital, which was previously led by Welsh journalist-turned billionaire investor, Michael Moritz.
Narayan told UKTN he has approached Moritz, who was born in Cardiff, about the possibility of supporting the project.
“I’ve emailed Michael quite a few times about this — he replies but I think he’s very busy at the moment on a couple of other projects he’s doing in the US at the moment,” he said.
“It’s on my radar but I haven’t managed to land it yet.”
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