Young entrepreneurs came up with a winning pitch for a new health drink at a business competition for Gosport and Fareham schools at St Vincent College, Gosport.
More 90 pupils from Cams Hill School, Fareham Academy and Henry Cort School battled it out in a competition to create a business pitch for a healthy drink aimed at young people. Pupils had to come up with a name for their drink, marketing slogans and an advertising campaign and then pitch it to a panel of judges.
The Year 9 and 10 youngsters were provided with iPads, paper, pens and the support of St Vincent students Amy Holden, Charlie-Rose Sawyer and Jake Rolfe, who are studying Business, IT and Esports, to help them with their research, critical thinking and development of their idea.
St Vincent Vice Principal Alison Kent, who was on the judging panel, said: “It was a really good day and all of the pupils seemed to enjoy it. The pitches were fast paced and very well presented to my fellow judges, Beverley Gent from Churchers Solicitors and Damian Berg, who is a placement student with Churchers.
“We were so impressed with the quality of research and standard of the pitches for the competition and know that we selected three worthy winning groups.”
The winning pitch was judged to be by students from Fareham Academy, who came up with a drink called Zest. “They fully met the brief and presented with energy and passion,” said Mrs Kent.
The winners took away Amazon vouchers and gaming packs provided by the event sponsors Churchers Solicitors, Menzies LLP and Dell.
Mrs Kent said the event is important to the college because it helps it connect with the schools and gives pupils a chance to see the college and meet some of its staff. She added: “We really enjoyed the day, which was well organised by Iain Sutherland and the business team and we look forward to hosting the event again next year as we loved meeting so many sharp business minds of the future.”