Aiden Richards, founder of Tipsy Owl Cyf, has been named a finalist in the 2026 Allica Bank Great British Entrepreneur Awards, shortlisted in the Consumer Entrepreneur of the Year category.
Tipsy Owl Cyf, a cocktail bar in Pontypridd, grew from a 22-seat pop-up to a projected £600,000 turnover business in under four years. It now has a team of 16 and was named as Best Bar in Wales 2025.
Aiden Richards, founder of Tipsy Owl Cyf, said:
“Being named a finalist means an enormous amount to me. I grew up in care, lost both my parents at a young age, and never imagined I'd one day be recognised among the UK's leading entrepreneurs. What I'm most proud of isn't the awards we've won, but what we've built for Pontypridd: a business that has created jobs, supported local causes, championed inclusion, and
become a place where people feel they belong. This recognition belongs to our incredible team and the community that made it possible.”
The awards celebrate the most exceptional and inspiring business stories across the UK, recognising entrepreneurs from every nation and region for their innovation, impact and resilience. Past winners include the founders of Simmer Eats, Grenade, ClearScore, Zilch and Unbiased, many of whom were recognised early in their journey.
Frankie James, founder of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, said:
“When we launched the Great British Entrepreneur Awards in 2012, we set out to back the businesses that get on and build, the ones that don't always get the recognition they deserve. More than a decade on, over 5,000 applications tell me we were onto something. This year's cohort represents billions in turnover and tens of thousands of jobs, but what I'm proudest of is the determination behind those numbers. These are founders who have stuck with it through every kind of year, and championing them is exactly why we do this.”
The Great British Entrepreneur Awards are supported by Allica Bank.
Conrad Ford, Chief Product & Strategy Officer at Allica, said:
“What stands out this year is the optimism and ambition that continue to define the UK's established business community. Having run my own business, I know the resilience, creativity and sheer determination it takes to build something that lasts, especially in challenging times.
“Established businesses are the real economy, making up a third of the UK's GDP and employment, and represented in every town across the country. At Allica, we're proud to support and celebrate their contribution through the Great British Entrepreneur Awards.”
