The Growing Mid Wales LoRaWAN Stimulation Project is designed to help businesses across Ceredigion and Powys explore and adopt new digital technologies that can improve efficiency, reduce costs and support growth.
The project provides targeted grant funding alongside dedicated business support to enable local businesses to trial and implement LoRaWAN-based solutions within their day-to-day operations. By lowering the cost and complexity of adopting this technology, the project aims to accelerate digital uptake across the region and demonstrate the practical benefits it can deliver.
The key objectives of the project are to:
- Support businesses to adopt innovative, data-driven solutions
- Improve productivity and operational efficiency
- Enable better decision-making through access to real-time data
- Encourage wider digital adoption across key sectors in Mid Wales
- Contribute to long-term regional economic growth
What is LoRaWAN and how could it benefit your business?
LoRaWAN (Long Range Wide Area Network) is a wireless technology designed to connect devices, sensors and equipment over long distances using very little power. In simple terms, it allows businesses to collect and monitor data from across their operations without needing expensive infrastructure or constant connectivity.
Unlike Wi-Fi or mobile networks, LoRaWAN is specifically built for sending small amounts of data (such as temperature, location, usage levels or alerts) from sensors to an online dashboard. These sensors can operate for years on a single battery and can work reliably even in rural or hard-to-reach areas.
How does it work?
LoRaWAN uses small sensors placed on equipment, buildings or outdoor assets. These sensors send data to a nearby gateway, which then securely transmits the information to a cloud-based platform. Businesses can then view and analyse this data through simple dashboards, helping them understand what is happening in real time and make informed decisions.
Importantly, you do not need any prior technical knowledge. As part of this project, dedicated business support will be available to help you identify suitable use cases, select the right equipment and guide you through installation and use.
What are the benefits for businesses?
LoRaWAN can support a wide range of practical applications across different sectors. For example, businesses can:
- Monitor energy usage to reduce costs
- Track assets, vehicles or livestock
- Receive alerts for equipment faults or maintenance needs
- Monitor environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity or water levels
- Improve efficiency by automating manual checks and processes
Because the technology is low-cost, energy-efficient and scalable, it offers a practical way for businesses to begin adopting digital solutions without significant upfront investment.
Support available through the grant
Through the Growing Mid Wales LoRaWAN Stimulation Project, eligible businesses in Ceredigion and Powys can apply for a capital grant of up to £4,999 to fund sensors, devices and gateways.
In addition, fully funded business support will be provided to help you:
- Understand how LoRaWAN could benefit your business
- Identify suitable devices and solutions
- Develop your grant application
- Support the deployment and use of the technology
This means no prior experience or technical expertise is required as the project is designed to support you every step of the way.
Get involved
If you are interested in improving efficiency, reducing costs or exploring new ways to use data in your business, we encourage you to submit an Expression of Interest via the link below.
Business Grant Expression of interest
What happens next?
Once you've submitted your Expression of Interest, it will be reviewed by the project team to check eligibility and understand your business needs.
If your application is taken forward, you'll be contacted by Antur Cymru* to identify the most appropriate LoRaWAN solutions for your business.
Following this, you'll be supported to develop a full application, including selecting devices and finalising costs.
If your application is successful, funding will be awarded and you'll receive ongoing support to help implement your solution and get the most from the technology.
*The LoRaWAN project is being delivered by Antur Cymru on behalf of Growing Mid Wales. They provide expert support to businesses at every stage — from initial advice and application through to deployment and use.
