From study to startup: My honest founder journey

Event overview

In this open and honest session, Darogan founder Dr Owain James shares his own journey from finishing his doctorate to founding a graduate-focused business in Wales. Rather than a polished success story, this is a candid look at what building a company is really like: the setbacks, the doubts, the decisions that didn't work out, and the moments that did. Owain will walk attendees through the practical realities of turning an idea into something real, along with the support available to graduates and students in Wales who want to do the same. By the end of the session, attendees will understand what founding a business genuinely involves, know the first practical steps to take, and be better placed to decide - with open eyes - whether entrepreneurship could be their own next step.

About the speaker

Dr Owain James is the founder of Darogan, a Welsh graduate talent platform connecting employers with graduate and student talent across Wales. He set up the business while completing his DPhil at the University of Oxford, having found that despite wanting to return to Wales after graduating, there was little support in place to help him do so. Since then, Owain has been an outspoken advocate for attracting and retaining graduate talent in Wales, building Darogan's platform, events - including GradCon Cymru and the Big Welsh Quiz - and consultancy services. 

Special conditions

This session will be delivered on two separate dates: one in English and one in Welsh. Both sessions will cover the same content, and participants are welcome to register for the session that best suits their language preference.  The Welsh language session will be held on 26 November at 12:00-14:00

Big Ideas Wales is a bilingual service and our events and workshops are available in Welsh and English, on registration please discuss you language preferences. 

Date and time