Ella wins the GLLM Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2026 competition
Grŵp Llandrillo Menai is incredibly proud to announce Ella Griffiths, a Coleg Menai Level 3 Travel and Tourism student, as the winner of our Young Entrepreneur of the Year competition for 2026.
To celebrate her outstanding achievement, the College Enterprise Team hosted a special presentation event at Coleg Menai’s Bangor campus. Ella, aged 19, was presented with a brand-new laptop to help launch her future business ventures. The event also provided her with an invaluable opportunity to receive direct, professional feedback from the competitions independent judging panel through Big Ideas Wales.
The competition, organized by the Grŵp’s Enterprise Officers, was judged by three independent industry role models from Big Ideas Wales.
Ella won over the judges with her original, innovative business concept focused on creating bespoke, Welsh-themed hampers. However, her entrepreneurial ambition hasn’t stopped there. Since entering the competition, Ella has continued to work closely with the Enterprise Team to explore funding opportunities, expanding her horizons with plans to launch a second venture: a local snack truck business.
Ella’s journey at Coleg Menai is a story of dedication and progression. Having initially joined the college on a Level 2 course, she has consistently excelled, earning herself the title of Student of the Year in 2025 as well as taking home this year’s top entrepreneurial prize.
Her personal tutor, Sharon Jones, spoke highly of Ella's work ethic and character:
“Ella is completing a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Travel and Tourism and will finish her course this year. She originally joined the college on the Level 2 programme and has progressed exceptionally well throughout her studies.
She has been developing and discussing her business ideas for a considerable time, whilst balancing both her studies and employment. Ella is an incredibly hardworking student, always willing to help others in her class, and I am absolutely delighted for her.”
As Ella finishes college this summer, she does so with a bright entrepreneurial future ahead of her. We wish Ella the best of luck as she moves on to her next chapter!
Are you a budding entrepreneur bursting with ideas? Whether you are looking to retrain or leaving school and thinking of your next steps, there’s still time to start your story with us this September. Visit our website to learn more about the range of courses on offer across the Grŵp for both young people and adults: https://www.gllm.ac.uk/