Budding young Inverness entrepreneurs face the dragons’ den
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The business people of the future from in and around Inverness have got their first taste of applying for finance.
Schools from across the north were taking part in Young Enterprise Scotland Highland & Moray area’s own version of TV’s Dragons’ Den at Nairn Community Centre, pitching their idea for products to a panel of local business experts.
OrbiTech from Millburn Academy picked up £70 for their hand-crafted fidget keychains and Inverness Royal Academy’s Scottish Sprouts took home £80 towards their sustainable gardening boxes.
Culloden Academy’s Unvravel were awarded £80 for their card game to help promote better mental health in teenagers whilst Highland Chains from Glen Urquhart High School received £65 for their hand-crafted keychains with a local theme. Flower and Flame from Nairn Academy received £45 towards production of their hand poured candles.
All the teams also received valuable advice on how to take their ideas forward in time to set up a stall at the annual Young Enterprise Scotland Christmas trade fair in Inverness on 9 December.
Young Enterprise Scotland programmes in Highland & Moray run in partnership with local schools and businesses across the area and provide young people with a real-life learning opportunity that introduces them to the realities of the world of work.
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 YE Highland and Moray said: “Our Dragons were particularly impressed with the teams’ ideas for products, organisation and progress already made in developing prototypes and business planning.
“The panel of dragons gave valuable advice about managing production and how to seek out sales opportunities. At the end of the day though, taking part in the Young Enterprise Company Programme is not just about learning how to run a business. It's about working as a team, thinking creatively, handling change and being resilient in challenging circumstances - skills these young people will need for life and for work.”
