A successful first aid company from Greece has come to the picturesque hills of Caerphilly as it looks to join the Welsh start-up scene at the Innovation Centre for Enterprise - Welsh ICE.

Four Minutes, named after the time-window to prevent brain damage in someone not breathing, is the Welsh arm of First Aid Greece, founded in Glyfada, Athens in 2008.

The company, which still maintains its Greek office, was looking to expand to Wales, the home of founder Fotini’s partner. After reading about ICE 50 online, Fotini successfully applied to the July cohort.

Founder and director Fotini Teneketzi said when it came to choosing somewhere in Wales to base Four Minutes, the ICE Campus was a natural fit: “My partner and I were looking for somewhere in Wales to set up and ICE stood out as the perfect place.

“In Greece, we are working with a number of high-profile corporate clients including IKEA, Coca-Cola, BMW and Google. We are also providing training to at least five different embassies.

“Much of our business relied on a positive vibe and personality, in fact, we were regular contributors to three Greek TV channels, including a weekly health show called Alpha Check Up. Here in Wales, we were looking for that same atmosphere which we found in the community at ICE. The buzz of creativity and productivity suited how we see our business operating - we really felt at home.

“We’ve hit the ground running since joining in July, picking up a few corporate jobs as well as collaborating with another ICE member, United Motorcycle Advanced Training, to teach first aid to motorcycle instructors, learners and enthusiasts.”

The company is now developing first aid technology which will aim to support the education sector.

Fotini said: “We are excited by the opportunities here in Caerphilly and feel that we have everything we need to grow our business and take it to the next level.”

The next intake of applications for support through the ICE 50 is now open. The funding is designed to give start-up businesses a structured route to sustainability, creating jobs and boosting the Welsh economy.

The support will be delivered through the centre's ICE 50, where 50 start-up businesses will receive a fully-funded package including a full-time desk, a tailored mentoring programme, creative workshops, telephone and high-speed internet access and one-to-one support for 12 months.

Mandy Weston, COO at Welsh ICE, said: “The response to our previous round of applications was phenomenal and we were delighted to welcome businesses such as Fotini’s.

“This year we hope to have a similar level of demand, especially since we recently announced our new space on campus, the Octagon.

“We want to reach out to those who have recently started a business and are finding that working from home is not all they thought it would be. The spirit of collaboration and support at ICE is a testament to how welcoming the community is.

“We would encourage budding entrepreneurs to put their business ideas on paper and apply. With the guidance and support of the ICE campus, it really is possible to start and grow your own business.”

A limited number of places will be available each month for the next six months, and businesses from all sectors and industries are welcome to apply.

The closing date for the first round of applications is March 5, and businesses are invited to submit their ideas to ICE through the website (www.welshice.org) or by contacting the community manager Jamie McGowan via email on jamie@welshice.org or you can call ICE on 029 2014 0040. The submissions will then be evaluated by a panel of judges, with businesses being notified in late March.