Growing a business at AberInnovation

Strategic introductions and location have offered AberInnovation incubator tenant businesses such as the not-for-profit social enterprise firm, Yma the chance to grow exponentially.

Learn how the advantages of opening up new networks and being associated with the AberInnovation Science Campus has helped Yma expand.

Samantha Horwill Co-founder & Managing Director at Yma

What product or solution does Yma offer?

Yma exists to creates possibilities for exceptional care for the people of Wales now, and for future generations. The organisation undertakes work in partnerships to enable a value-based patient-centred Welsh health and social care system. This can include service design, evaluation, project and programme management and facilitation services. The business emerged as an idea from a group of Welsh GPs and the idea of the name Yma (which means Here in Welsh) came from the idea of being in service to and focused on Wales as a place and a community.

How did the move to AberInnovation come about?

Sam was originally managing the business from an office closer to home, 40 minutes from Aberystwyth, but due to personal commitments she and her family made the decision to re-locate to the university town.

Whilst looking for a new business base, Sam’s contact at Aberystwyth University connected her to Dr Rhian Hayward MBE, chief executive officer of AberInnovation to find out if office space would be available for Yma.

Although not a ‘typical’ industry fit for the AberInnovation community, Dr Hayward felt there were important synergies with Yma, because food is an important determinant of health and wellbeing and the food industry in one of the four key areas the centre supports.

Having looked at other local business hubs, the vibrant setting of AberInnovation was one that she would find attractive to work in, as well as being a welcoming, positive space for potential colleagues and employees. The links to the local University have also proved important, with one of Yma’s key appointments sourced through a connection to the University.   

How has the portfolio of benefits at AberInnovation allowed the business to grow?

The original brief for the office space required was that it should be affordable, local and have high speed Wi-Fi. However, the key benefits beyond this were the unexpected ‘soft benefits’. These came in the form of networking, by having other business owners to reflect and gain feedback from, receiving support from female peers and influential individuals such as Dr Hayward.

Strategic introductions and experiences gained have also been another unexpected bonus. For example, Sam was invited to be on the bidding panel for AberInnovation’s BioAccelerate programmes, assessing applicants. This involvement led to Sam meeting Chris Probert, regional innovation specialist at the Welsh Government, a connection which opened doors to relevant funding opportunities, such as the Women in Innovation schemes.

Physically, the location’s world-class R&D facilities, flawless canteen, generous parking and meeting spaces offer significant business benefits which are unrivalled in Mid-Wales. Sam and her colleagues also feel heard as part of the centre’s business ecosystem, having contributed to its eco-agenda directly by making recommendations on operational elements, such as electric vehicle chargers and recycling systems.

Where could the relationship with AberInnovation take Yma next?

The opportunities of growing the company without having to finance their own offices mean the company has been able to grow from Sam, to a team of five in three years, despite the challenges of the pandemic.

Given Yma has only been operating for three years, the growth they've had so far is credit to being part of AberInnovation and its wider network. This is a relationship which is evolving, having originally been a base from which being associated with, the more established Yma becomes, the more Yma feel that the centre becomes more of a business enabler.

The next step is to move from the incubator offices to the new AberInnovation ‘Grow on Space’ at the Lord Milford Building, an exciting milestone as the business continues to thrive.

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Find out more about Yma:  www.dymani.cymru