Graduate wins Young Business Person of the Year award
We are proud to celebrate the success of graduate, Ken Pearce, founder of 3D printing company, , who has been named Young Business Person of the Year at the Cardiff Business Awards 2024 - a recognition that highlights his entrepreneurial journey and the impressive growth of his company.
Originally from Newport, Ken’s early career was in signage printing, but with a keen interest in 3D printing, he wanted to further enhance his skills and explore new technological frontiers.
This led him to ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø to pursue a course in BSc Product Design & Technology, now offered as BSc Product & Furniture Design, where he was able to integrate 3D printing into his studies, using the expertise of lecturers and use of the specialist facilities.
His entrepreneurial journey began in his garden shed in 2020 at the end of his studies, creating face shields for health workers in the midst of the pandemic.
Ken said: “It started as a hobby making items for family and friends, however the experience of creating face shields opened my eyes to the vast potential of 3D printing as a solution to real-world problems, and this inspired me to establish Lunia 3D.â€
From these modest beginnings, Lunia 3D has evolved to serve a variety of industries, from classic car restorations and architectural modelling to educational projects.
Ken said: “We’ve been fortunate to work with high-profile clients like FIFA, Christian Louboutin, and the Ministry of Defence. These projects demonstrate the versatility and potential of 3D printing.â€
Lunia 3D are also dedicated to broadening the accessibility of 3D printing by launching a range of educational workshops, offering people of all ages and backgrounds the opportunity to learn the skills of the future. This innovative approach has been a major contributor to Ken’s success, leading to him recently being awarded Young Business Person of the Year.
The Cardiff Business Awards celebrates exceptional businesses within Wales’ capital, and this win is another accolade in his growing list of achievements. Along with his business partner and old school friend, Yousef Ahmed, Ken has earned a number of prestigious awards for Lunia 3D including recognition from Wales STEM Awards, Vale of Glamorgan Business Awards and StartUp Awards Wales 2023. This year, Ken’s dedication to entrepreneurship led to him becoming a regional judge for the StartUp Awards UK.
Ken said:
“I’m over the moon to have been awarded Business Person of the Year at Cardiff Business Awards. This is such a huge milestone for me and Lunia 3D and I’m beyond grateful to everyone who has supported us along the way. Seeing our hard work recognised is a powerful reminder of how far we’ve come. This award isn’t just about the past—it’s motivation for the future.â€
Ken’s time at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø played a crucial role in shaping him and his company. He said: “The support I received from the staff was invaluable. I still connect with my lecturers and tutors, who have been great advocates for the business. Their encouragement has even helped us secure projects through university recommendations.â€
As Ken’s business continues to flourish, ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø is proud to have played a part in his journey and looks forward to seeing the future milestones of Lunia 3D.
The University’s commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship is evident in its recognition as a top university for supporting graduate start-ups, as evidenced by its first place ranking for business support in the 2022/23 Higher Education Business and Community Interaction Survey. We continue to nurture future innovators like Ken, equipping students with the skills needed to turn creative ideas into successful ventures.
Further Information
Mared Anthony
Communications and PR Officer: Alumni Relations
Corporate Communications and PR
Email: mared.anthony@uwtsd.ac.uk
Phone: +447482256996