Budding Inverness entrepreneurs face the dragons’ den
The area’s newest entrepreneurs got their first real-life taste of the world of business on November 4.
Pupils from Millburn, Inverness Royal, Charleston and Culloden Academies and Glen Urquhart High School were taking part in Young Enterprise Scotland Highland & Moray Area’s version of television’s Dragons’ Den.
They had the chance to pitch their ideas for products to a panel of local businesspeople.
Bear-Tastic from Inverness Royal Academy received £45 towards their children’s reading and colouring books and toy bears, while Millburn Academy’s Fior were awarded £60 for their range of recycled glass gifts.
Charleston Academy’s Paper Roots took home £40 for their recycled paper products and Glen Urquhart High School’s Forged in the Glen won £65 for their handcrafted boot pulls, bottle openers and tool caddies.
Culloden Academy’s Eco-heat picked up £50 towards their handmade draught excluders and Reed and Relax, also from Inverness Royal Academy, received £40 for their scented reed diffusers.
All the teams taking part also received valuable advice on how to progress their plans in time to set up a stall at the annual Young Enterprise Scotland Christmas trade fair in the Eastgate Centre, Inverness on Saturday, December 14.
The Young Enterprise Scotland Company Programme for Highland and Moray runs in partnership with local schools and businesses across the area to encourage young people to experience the challenges of running a business.
Over the course of a year teams from individual schools learn how to run a successful business by designing and making products, marketing them and managing the financial side of the business.
The scheme is aimed at 15- to 19-year-olds and teams are supported by teachers, a volunteer business adviser from the local community, and an area team.
Linda Thomas, chairperson of YES Highland and Moray said: “Dragons’ Den is a real challenge for our teams as they finalise their ideas for their products and sell them to the panel.
“Our Dragons were extremely impressed with the progress they’ve already made in getting their companies set up and their products ready for market.
“Taking part in the Young Enterprise Company Programme is not just about learning how to run a business though.
“Our teams learn how to work as a team, overcoming challenges and building resilience – all of which is great preparation for their careers and will stand them in good stead in the future.”