Entrepreneurship in South Wales continues to thrive, driven by a strong innovation ecosystem and the support offered through Welsh universities and government programmes. A powerful example of this success is Imersifi, a Swansea University–based immersive technology company and proud member of the National Institute for Sport & Health.

Co-founders Joe Charman and Jack Bengeyfield began their entrepreneurial journey while studying at Swansea University. Today, they operate two successful ventures:

• Pilot Plus which creates highly detailed 3D airport replications for flight simulation
• Imersifi which specialises in virtual reality (VR) training and educational tools for enterprise clients across the world

While completing a Master’s degree in VR, Joe and Jack discovered the transformative potential of immersive technologies. This exposure inspired them to launch Imersifi with a mission to design bespoke VR experiences that enhance training, safety, and education across sectors.

Their early progress was accelerated by strong institutional support from Santander’s Enterprise Award, which provided funding to allow the founders to pursue the business full-time immediately after graduation, without needing to enter traditional graduate schemes. They also won the Big Pitch competition in 2018, which allowed the team to purchase advanced equipment and expand into new markets and secure higher-profile clients, as well as ongoing enterprise support from Swansea University’s enterprise team.

Although Joe and Jack originally established operations in Bristol, they soon realised that Wales offered greater opportunities for growth. The Welsh Government’s business support and the collaborative ecosystem surrounding Swansea University made Wales the ideal place for them to expand.

The move strengthened connections within the region’s technology, research, and enterprise communities, particularly important for businesses working in high-growth areas such as VR, simulation, and digital innovation. Being a member of NISH allows them to access further collaboration, networking and research opportunities to grow their ideas.

Joe and Jack emphasise that success doesn’t always start with large investment rounds. Instead, they encourage entrepreneurs to:

• Work hard: Reinvest profits into the business to build sustainable growth.
• Leverage your local network: Universities, mentors, family, and peers can play a vital role in getting ideas off the ground.
• Nurture your creativity: Explore ideas, experiment early, and remain open to new possibilities.

Their journey demonstrates how ambition, innovation, and the right networks can help founders build their ideas into globally recognised businesses.