Teams of young entrepreneurs across the country recently joined Lancaster University Management School (LUMS) to compete in a virtual 100-Day Entrepreneurship Challenge.
King Edward VI Five Ways School were one of 12 schools and 16 teams to take part in the contest organised by LUMS, which challenged contestants to come up with a business idea which addressed one of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Ideas included a subscription box to teach children about sustainability, an app to encourage people to recycle by awarding vouchers and a responsibly produced hairbrush made of plastic waste from hair salons!
The aspiring entrepreneurs were competing for two main prizes, one awarded by LUMS' Department of Entrepreneurship and the other by the Entrepreneurs-in-Residence (EIRs).
Innov8 from King Edward VI Five Ways School bagged the department prize, impressing the judges with their scheme for ensuring internet access for remote areas of Tanzania.
"This experience taught us valuable business planning skills and was a great way to improve teamwork from school and home, making connections with other who are experts in the area we were researching."
Innov8, King Edward VI Five Ways School
Bingbing Ge, from the Department of Entrepreneurship and Strategy commented: "This event shows not only the passion, but the potential of students to make a difference in the world. The students' awareness, care and entrepreneurial mindsets drove them to develop their projects to solve one of more of the UN Sustainability Goals in this 100-day challenge. We were deeply impressed by the exceptionally high quality of presentations, ideas and even some pilot studies. Huge congratulations".
