Cardiff Capital Region (CCR) is working to make South East Wales connected, competitive and resilient. Made up of the 10 councils across the region, since 2017 it has created and safeguarded more than 3,000 jobs, supported more than 200 businesses and invested millions in the Metro transport system. This podcast series explores some of the ways in which CCR is making an impact, including through strategic investment, mentorship, peer support and placemaking.

Episode One:

Empowering Female Entrepreneurs

How Cardiff Capital Region is building a Thriving Support Network

This episode will explore the progress being made across Cardiff Capital Region (CCR) to support female entrepreneurs through both personal development and direct funding. Despite historic barriers to accessing finance and business networks, CCR is driving positive change by fostering a supportive ecosystem where female-led businesses can thrive.

We’ll hear from leading female business figures and policymakers about how this growing support network is enabling more women to launch and scale successful businesses. The discussion will highlight the practical impact of funding, mentorship, and peer support, and explore how CCR’s targeted strategy is helping to close the gender gap in entrepreneurship.

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Episode Two:

Place-Making and Regeneration:
How Cardiff Capital Region’s Investment in Zip World Transformed Tower Colliery

Cardiff Capital Region’s loan to Zip World helped to transform Tower Colliery, which was the oldest continually-working coal mine in the UK until 2008, into a landmark adventure attraction. Host Gemma Casey is joined by Sean Taylor, Founder of Zip World, Kellie Beirne, CEO of Cardiff Capital Region and Councillor Anthony Hunt, leader of Torfaen County Borough Council and vice chair of Cardiff Capital Region, to discuss how this strategic investment in place-making has driven regeneration, created employment opportunities, and built investor confidence.

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Episode Three:

Space Innovation:

South East Wales at the Frontier

South East Wales is building a reputation as one of the UK’s most dynamic regions for space and advanced technology. Host Gemma Casey is joined by Dr. Bettina Bockelmann-Evans, Innovation Lead at CCR Energy, and Prof. Mahesh Anand of the Open University to discuss the projects which are helping the region to connect its industrial past with a high-tech future.

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Episode Four: (COMING SOON)

Endoscopy Challenge: 

Idea, Innovation and Impact

The £10 million Cardiff Capital Region Challenge Fund helped to fund a major healthcare innovation aimed at transforming endoscopy services across Wales and beyond. Host Gemma Casey is joined by Jennifer Waterman, General Surgical Registrar at the University Hospital of Wales, Matt Ginn, CEO of IQ Endoscopes and Owen Wilce, Senior Innovation Manager, Cardiff Capital Region to discuss how the Endoscopy Challenge worked and the impact of the initiative.

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