Newport-based Lightology has been crowned winner at The South Wales Chamber of Commerce Welsh Business Awards 2017.

Lightology won the Start-up Business of the Year category, sponsored by Pro Steel Engineering, at the awards ceremony held at City Hall in Cardiff, where businesses from across Wales were recognised for their innovation, growth and success.

The company, which launched in 2017, specialises in embracing modern technologies in lighting.

Jon Davies, of Lightology said: “Although we haven’t been trading for long, we feel like we have come a long way and we are thrilled to have our achievements recognised in this way.”

Heather Myers, director of South and Mid Wales Chamber of Commerce, said: “The calibre of entries for this year’s awards was extremely high and I think we have ended up with some very worthy winners.

“In the short time that Lightology has been trading – they have demonstrated a clear understanding of how to ensure the business remains ripe for growth, incorporating the concept of sustainability and innovation into the key structure and ethos of their business.”

Other winners included Concrete Canvas, from Treforest, which won three awards including Welsh Business of the Year, Cardiff-based University Cribs for Excellence in Marketing and Communications and Burns Pet Nutrition, from Kidwelly, for Excellence in Community Relations.

The University of South Wales was headline sponsor for this year's awards, alongside category sponsors Western Power Distribution, Pro Steel Engineering, Barclays Bank, Heart Radio, Atradius, Port of Milford Haven, and Effective Communication.

Professor Dylan Jones-Evans, assistant pro-vice chancellor of USW, said: “This year’s awards were the most hotly contested yet and it was very heartening to see so many Welsh companies really pushing the envelope in terms of their achievements. Congratulations to everyone who was shortlisted, especially the winners.”

A record number of entries were submitted for this year’s Welsh Business Awards, with entries up by 19 per cent on previous years and more companies than ever were judged before making the final shortlist.

The awards aim to recognise the very best from businesses nationwide and celebrate excellence among Welsh businesses, whether small, medium or large, that all play a fundamental role in driving the economy forward.