Young entrepreneurs pool business ideas

Teenage entrepreneurs have been showcasing their best business ideas to a panel of university judges.

Year 11 GCSE pupils from Bryn Alyn, Gwersyllt, and St David’s High School, Saltney, were invited to take part in a Dragons Den-style competition at Glyndŵr University on Thursday 15 January.

Students were introduced to the concept of enterprise and then split into groups to brainstorm business ideas. Then, true to life, at the end of the day they pitched their ideas to a panel of judges.

These included Glyndŵr University’s Sam Clutton, KTP officer, and careers adviser Nest Thompson, along with Val Ashall of Careers Wales and Peter Forshaw of the Industrial Trust.

The winning pitch was for a new ‘iBook’ product, an educational computer designed to be built into pupils’ desks at school. Features of the product included a battery which automatically charged at the end of the school day and link-ups to a teacher’s computer to monitor students’ work.

Pupils explained how they would overcome the inevitable high cost of the product in helping it drive a successful business, by offering bulk buying deals to customers.

Judges said they were impressed with the fun, educational element to the product and the well thought-out business plan which pupils pitched.

Judith Alexander, Zone Manager from the Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning at Glyndŵr University, said: “All of the students who took part had a thoroughly enjoyable day and we were delighted to welcome them here.

“The judges were really impressed with all of the ideas they heard, but in the end we had to choose a winner. The event proved that there are plenty of promising young entrepreneurs out there in Wrexham, though.

“We hope that the students took a lot away with them from the day. It gave them exposure to university life and introduced them to the idea that starting their own business can be a career choice for them.”

The event was organised by the Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning at Glyndŵr University in partnership with Reaching Higher, Reaching Wider, an educational group which aims to increase higher education participation in Wales.

Sarah Al-Assaf, Area Liaison Officer for Reaching Wider, said: "The Reaching Wider project aims to engage with young learners in local schools to raise awareness and aspirations about going on to higher education, and to help them realise their own potential.

“The students came up with some great business ideas, and after initial trepidation they even enjoyed giving a presentation to the dragons!"