Business challenge develops teamwork and brilliant ideas
BP Business Challenge events held recently in Auckland and Nelson gave our Year 11 students an opportunity to work in teams, make new friends, and stimulate their creative, entrepreneurial mindsets.
The three-day programme, provided through the Young Enterprise Trust, steps students through the basics of business planning. In the final stage, they must present their business plan at least five times to guest judges from the business community, and the repetitive process brings refinement and increased confidence.
The winning North Island team was Degree Bedding, which successfully pitched a concept for an app-enabled blanket that could sense and respond to body temperature, leading to a better night’s sleep. In the South Island, the winning team was Baby Brella, which designed an umbrella that would keep water out of a baby’s eyes during bath time.
Other innovative ideas included:
- Smart Drive – an app for tourists that assists them to drive safely in New Zealand.
- Powerpac – a cellphone case that can charge a phone through solar and kinetic energy.
- iSight – a smart window system with features including TV functionality, and night-time tinting.
- Joybox – a healthy packed lunch that can be bought through supermarkets.
- Mutt – the Multi Use Technology Tool with wifi, solar power, battery pack, hard drive and charging functionality.
- Zing – a smart shopping trolley that scans products as they go in, and includes payment functionality.
- Teeth Relief – “gumbelievable” relief for pain caused by braces.
- Standup Suitcase – to keep the holidaymaker better organised.
BP Business Challenge facilitator Wayne Prince was impressed with the students’ focus, drive and enthusiasm. He also enjoyed the community feel, with many parents and students coming through at different times to observe the event.
Students were transported from all over New Zealand to be at the two events. Special thanks to our National Office and Campus support teams for awesome organisational skills!
Watch a video with students’ feedback from the South Island event: