Young Enterprise companies battle it out for place at Dorset final (From Dorset Echo)

Young Enterprise companies battle it out for place at Dorset final

8:00am Thursday 24th March 2011 in Young Enterprise

On Monday 14th and Thursday 16th March sixteen Young Enterprise companies from twelve different local schools battled it out for a place at the County competition final.

All sixteen companies had prepared a business report, a trade stand and a presentation. The companies had worked hard hoping to impress the judges and be awarded a place in the final. The panel of six judges were very impressed with the range of innovative products and professional presentations.

One of the judges, Kevin Alway, manager at HSBC, comments “This is my sixth consecutive year and the standard was as good as ever. It's so fantastic to see what the achievers have done this year, even in the present climate; they are a great credit to their schools and families. I am really looking forward to the final on 5th May and hope as many people as possible turn up to support all the achievers.”

Late on Thursday evening a final decision was made and the eight companies who will face each other again in the final on 5th May are:

• Sigma from Parkstone Grammar School and Talbot Heath School have designed high quality cards and phone cases.

• Estupendo are from Corfe Hills School and operate the Corfe Hills discount scheme in the Broadstone area.

• Unite Teens from Talbot Heath school, Portchester School, Bournemouth Collegiate college and Bishop of Winchester have designed a ‘What If?’ bag

• Viridis have designed innovative products made from records and has students from Talbot Heath School and Parkstone Grammar School.

• Epilimnion with students from St Edwards school hope their sale of eyelash extensions will impress the judges.

• Loops from Poole High School are selling blackboard and chalk mugs for everyday and office use.

• Accelerate have designed a study revision pack called RevEyes and are from Talbot Heath School.

• SwipEase from Poole High School are designing a new way to pay for and monitor healthy eating in schools.

All these companies are directed by a group of students aged between 15 – 18. They have been meeting since September and are advised by local business volunteers.

The winning team on 5th May will go on to represent Dorset at the Regional final. Well done to all the finalists and good luck in developing your products ready for the final!

See www.young-enterprise.org.uk/company for more information about the programme.