The Cork City Schools Enterprise Programme run by the Local Enterprise Office, Cork City announced the winners of their new ‘Business Ideas’ competition, which was open to both junior and senior cycle second-level students in Cork City. Having received over 550 entries from 16 schools across Cork City, this year’s winners of the inaugural category were 5^th year student Olivia Dupuy from St. Vincent’s Secondary School and 2^nd year student Bryan Little from Deerpark CBS.

This unique Cork City competition was open to all second-level schools and student, not just those studying business.  Secondary students were required to complete an ‘idea card’ stating their new innovative business idea and how it would work in practice.

The senior cycle winner, Olivia Dupuy devised the idea of a special alarm feature, installed on power sockets, which makes a noise when items such as laptops or phones are plugged in, without the power switch being turned on.

The junior cycle winner, Bryan Little developed the idea of a special straw with a pump and sensor, which can be used by the disabled. Bryan’s straw senses when a person puts their lips on the straw activating the pump to dispense the liquid.

Adrienne Rodgers, Head of Local Enterprise in the LEO, Cork City says: “Cork Leaving Cert and Junior Cert students have finished top of the class when it comes to business ideas. Based on feedback received from teachers in the city, we launched this competition to encourage students to think innovatively.  We were very impressed by both the quality and the volume of entries that we received. It all bodes well for next year and for Cork’s future.”

 Cork Schools Enterprise Programme Co-ordinator, Yvonne O’Neill, enthuses: “It has been a great year for the Cork City Schools Enterprise Programme. We have seen a significant increase in the number of schools taking part in our Programme this year and we hope to grow this further next year.”

She adds: “We will be urging second level schools in Cork city to get involved in our enterprise programmes again in the coming academic year. Further information can be obtained by contact us via: info@corkschoolsenterprise.ie.”