Tell us about your organisation.

The Development Bank of Wales launched in October 2017 to help Welsh businesses start up, strengthen and grow. We offer loans from £1,000 to £5 million and equity investments from £50,000 to £5 million per funding round. We work with micro to medium-sized businesses based in or willing to move to Wales.

Why are you supporting the awards?

We want to encourage entrepreneurial women in Wales by celebrating the positive impact of existing leading businesswomen. We’re also keen to support more women in breaking through the glass ceiling and taking up directorships and board roles.

Why does gender equality matter to you?

An active and equal workforce helps everyone. It supports the talent of everyone and draws on diverse voices and ideas to make businesses truly innovative. Broadening participation in the economy can bring real economic benefit to Wales. The more women in business, the better it is for Wales as a whole.

Why do you support the work of Chwarae Teg?

We’re passionate about responsible business and supporting the communities we work in and with, so are Chwarae Teg. We want to support the economy and create opportunities for Welsh entrepreneurs. Supporting women to start up or grow their own businesses is really important to us and we know it matters to Chwarae Teg too. Through numerous initiatives and mentoring programmes they’ve already helped a number of women take the next step in their careers. We’d really like to support that by helping more women take the next steps with their businesses.