Young Enterprise awards
Winning Group - Alpha One
Students from Regent House Grammar School are taking to the QuickStart Programme in a big way this year!
With nine companies starting up in each of the three terms, students will form a total of 27 businesses encompassing their entire Year 11 year group.
This week students from Term 1 were awarded certificates from a special Dragons’ Den style event where the companies presented their business plans to a panel of judges. The panel included a formidable and diverse array of dragons including Leigh Nelson (Newtownards Chamber of Commerce), Heather Boyle (A Slice of Heaven NI), Steve McIlwrath (Avalon Guitars), Ryan Kerr (EY) and Adrienne McGill (Ambition Magazine/NI Chamber of Commerce).
The winning group Alpha One were praised for their technology tracking device concept. Whilst many mobile phones feature a built in tracking application, when the device is switched off the device location cannot be updated. This concept suggests that a tracking device could be built into a streamlined sticker that would affix to the device and be traceable even if the item is not connected to a cellular network.
Runner Up Wonder Wellies had a creative idea for Wellington boots that would change colour when wet. With a range of suggested colours and customisations, the boots would be a hit amongst festival-goers, and young children alike.
Also recognised were outstanding individual students Finlay Plant and Jonah Mitchell while The App Company took the prize for Best Presentation.
The students were presented their awards by QuickStart Volunteer Business Advisers, Gail McKibben and Sarah McCracken from QuickStart supporter Ulster Bank. Term 1 companies were mentored by Gail McKibben and Vivienne Stoops from Ulster Bank along with Maura Bettes from Ards Borough Council.
