Wearable technology designer wins Best Start up Business of the Year at the Welsh Business Awards

max taylor - journalist

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Spacebands has been recognised for its innovation by winning Best Start Up Business of the Year at the Welsh Business Awards.

Organised by Chambers Wales South East, South West and Mid, the award recognises young businesses that are demonstrating growth, potential, and early commercial success.

Founded in Cardiff, spacebands develops wearable technology designed to help organisations monitor workplace hazards. Its multi-sensor devices track risks including hand-arm vibration, excessive noise, machinery proximity and PPE compliance, alerting users when unsafe conditions are detected.

The company said adoption of the technology is underway across several major safety-critical organisations, including Network Rail, M Group Highways, Kier Group and Balfour Beatty.

Following early growth, the business exceeded its £600,000 seed funding target, securing £1 million in an investment round led by a US venture capital firm.

Spacebands co-founder Harry Kimberley-Bowen said: “We launched the business in 2020 supplying contact tracing devices during the pandemic before evolving the company in late 2021 to focus on workplace health and safety wearables. It’s been a fast-paced few years, but incredibly rewarding.

“We’re incredibly proud of the strong feedback we receive from customers, both for our products and the insights provided through our data, and we are honoured to be recognised for this award. It’s testament to the hard work and passion of the whole team.”