Celebrating entrepreneurial success: Kaydiar

The Welsh start-up ecosystem is flourishing, driven by an exceptional pool of talent, vibrant networks, and a wealth of support from dedicated stakeholders. Among these is GlobalWelsh, which not only connects entrepreneurs to resources within Wales but also taps into support from the Welsh diaspora beyond its borders. Few have benefited more from this unique combination than Kaydiar, a rising start-up propelled not by handouts but by the vision and tenacity of its two young founders, David Barton and Heather Smart. As we celebrate Global Entrepreneurship Week, it’s a fitting time to spotlight their journey—and the critical support that GlobalWelsh and the network have provided along the way.

GlobalWelsh’s introduction to Kaydiar and its co-founders David Barton and Heather Smart came when our CEO, Walter May, was invited to mentor them as part of the Welsh Government’s Accelerated Growth Programme (AGP). At the time, David and Heather had recently left Cardiff Metropolitan University, where they first conceived the idea for their DiaSole and ZeroSole products. They needed comprehensive support to develop their ideas and bring their business to life. Their ambition, eagerness to learn, and rapid adaptability were clear from the start, leading to impressive progress under guidance. They quickly grasped how to leverage the available support and effectively tapped into the wider Welsh entrepreneurial ecosystem. Their success in launching a design, manufacturing, and distribution business—one of the most challenging types of start-ups—speaks volumes about Wales' entrepreneur-friendly environment not just domestically but internationally.

"David and Heather soon recognised the power of networks, benefiting significantly from the GlobalWelsh Connect platform. With our support, they successfully raised several rounds of funding, forged relationships with key go-to-market partners, selected suppliers, and began international expansion, among other achievements."

David and Heather soon recognised the power of networks, benefiting significantly from the GlobalWelsh Connect platform. With our support, they successfully raised several rounds of funding, forged relationships with key go-to-market partners, selected suppliers, and began international expansion, among other achievements. Here are the highlights:

Every entrepreneur understands the importance of raising investment, but the process can often feel overwhelming and daunting. Kaydiar started engaging with GlobalWelsh Invest to navigate this challenge. This enabled them to tap into our global investor network.Leveraging the network, they received guidance on crafting their pitch, marketing effectively to investors, understanding what investors seek in a business opportunity, and strategies for securing investment. They also received expert advice on pitch deck creation and presentation delivery.

Kaydiar participated in numerous GlobalWelsh pitching events, including several in London, where they presented to an audience of Welsh diaspora investors. From these events, they secured two equity investors. One of the most notable events was a pitching session at Cardiff Metropolitan University in collaboration with a Japanese university featuring its own spin-out businesses. Hosted by Dr. Sarah Louisa Birchley, a Japan-based professor and GlobalWelsh board member. All these events led to Kaydiar securing circa £300K investment from investors within the GlobalWelsh network.

"Kaydiar participated in numerous GlobalWelsh pitching events, including several in London, where they presented to an audience of Welsh diaspora investors. From these events, they secured two equity investors."

Thanks to the support of GlobalWelsh Invest, Kaydiar also attracted interest from several other potential investors for future funding rounds. While raising investment is never easy, pitching to an audience that is already predisposed to support you certainly makes the process less daunting - this is what GlobalWelsh uniquely offers.

GlobalWelsh’s network also offers an expert advisory service, connecting Welsh entrepreneurs with top-tier professionals and business leaders who are dedicated to supporting the growth of Welsh businesses. As Kaydiar entered the next phase of their journey, they sought advice on potential partnerships and their online go-to-market strategy, particularly with Boots and Amazon. Turning to GlobalWelsh for guidance, they received invaluable support from David Wright, a former CEO of one of the largest global over-the-counter pharmacy companies. David helped the young entrepreneurs navigate this critical stage, even facilitating valuable introductions, ensuring they were well-positioned to secure the best possible partnership deals. This expert guidance set David and Heather up for long-term success as they continued to grow their business.

"David and Heather are among the best examples of proactive, ambitious entrepreneurs in Wales... they recognised the power of the Welsh diaspora often stepping outside their Welsh comfort zone to accelerate their learning and ultimately their success."

In addition to the headline support mentioned above, Kaydiar has gained significant visibility through the GlobalWelsh Connect platform, which provides access to a global network of Welsh professionals and businesses. This visibility has proven invaluable, as David and Heather have leveraged the network to identify and approach potential distribution partners. Support from our network of Global Hubs has also been instrumental, with Dr. Sarah Louisa Birchley and Gareth Hughes offering their expertise and assistance in Japan and the USA, respectively. Additionally, when Kaydiar received a digital marketing proposal from an agency but was unsure of its value, GlobalWelsh facilitated an introduction to an expert for advice.

David and Heather are among the best examples of proactive, ambitious entrepreneurs in Wales—individuals who quickly understood the ecosystem, built relationships with a diverse range of supporting bodies and were willing to take advice from those experts and avoid the mistakes that first time entrepreneurs often make. Moreover, they recognised the power of the Welsh diaspora often stepping outside their Welsh comfort zone to accelerate their learning and ultimately their success.

Connect with Kaydiar via GlobalWelsh Connect >>