How GlobalWelsh leveraged Hivebrite to grow diaspora community by 118% within one year

The GlobalWelsh is changing how people see Wales by giving the nation a global platform.

GlobalWelsh has been using Hivebrite since 2020. They chose Hivebrite as their solution to advance their mission of building a global community for Welsh people and friends of Wales, a place to create meaningful connections, tap into shared resources, introduce like-minded people and help investment and business opportunities prosper.

The community challenge

GlobalWelsh sought to build more than just a directory or online presence—it envisioned a truly interactive space where members could actively connect, collaborate, and foster a sense of belonging within the global Welsh diaspora. The organization recognized the need for a dynamic platform that would enable meaningful engagement, allowing members to share ideas, forge partnerships, and strengthen personal and professional ties regardless of location.

In addition to networking and collaboration, GlobalWelsh aimed to empower its members to support and invest in each other’s careers and business ventures. Whether through mentorship, funding opportunities, or knowledge exchange, the platform would serve as a launchpad for individual growth and collective success. By nurturing this ecosystem of shared ambition and mutual support, GlobalWelsh continues to cultivate a thriving global community rooted in Welsh identity and driven by collaboration.

The Hivebrite solution

GlobalWelsh is one of the first diaspora organizations in the world to create an online community. It decided to partner with Hivebrite to build and scale its online community.

GlobalWelsh monetizes its community through memberships. It offers several membership options to encourage joining, participating and, depending on member needs and ambitions, eventually becoming a paying member.

The community also offers:

• Free thought leadership events and introductory sessions for non-members to showcase the platform and explain the benefits of joining the community to encourage sign-ups

• Sub-communities run by group leaders that offer a dedicated space for niche discussions, events, and more

• A personalized community experience based on location and affinities to drive engagement

• A global mentoring program to help members advance professionally or develop specific skills

• Networking and thought leadership events

The outcome

Since launching with Hivebrite, GlobalWelsh has experienced remarkable growth, with its community expanding by 118% in just the first 12 months. This rapid acceleration highlighted a clear demand for a digital space where members of the global Welsh diaspora could connect meaningfully, exchange ideas, and collaborate across borders. The platform’s intuitive tools and customizable features played a critical role in making these connections seamless and engaging.

Today, GlobalWelsh proudly counts nearly 3,000 active members around the world. These individuals—ranging from entrepreneurs and creatives to industry leaders and policy makers—form a vibrant, supportive network committed to elevating Welsh identity and opportunity on the international stage. Through virtual events, business mentoring, investment initiatives, and targeted affinity groups, members are able to find common ground and drive collective success.

In alignment with its mission, GlobalWelsh also supports the Welsh government’s efforts to promote Wales globally. By showcasing the talent, innovation, and collaborative spirit of its members, the organization acts as a powerful ambassador for the nation. The community not only connects Welsh people abroad with their roots but also helps foster economic and cultural development that benefits Wales as a whole.

“With Hivebrite’s platform we are able to create quality engagement initiatives to leverage the passion, expertise, and knowledge of our members to help Wales excel and prosper.”

Zara May

Head of Community and Operations, GlobalWelsh