Students in Cork city are being invited to get thinking, get creative and pitch their budding business ideas to a panel of successful entrepreneurs through the Cork City Schools Enterprise Programme.

Organised by the Cork City Enterprise Board (CorkCEB) students are not only being invited to set up and run their own student business with class mates but to think outside the box with their business pitches through two new award categories added to this year’s programme – the Creative Business Pitch Competition and the Best Business Idea Competition with a €1,000 prize fund up for grabs to all second-level Cork City students.

Adrienne Rodgers, CEO of Cork City Enterprise Board said: “Fostering a spirit of
entrepreneurship from a young age is at the heart of our programme. Student who enter our award categories will go through the full processes involved in setting up their own business with the guidance of successful entrepreneurs and key business people which gives them invaluable real-life experiences, life skills and a distinct advantage if and when they set up their own business in the future.”

Ms Rodgers added: “This year’s new categories are not limited to transition year students but are open to all years and demonstrate how the programme is evolving to suit and cater for a new generation of students with an engaging, interactive and
innovative approach.”

Almost 500 students in Transition Year in Cork city took part in the Schools Enterprise
Programme last year by setting up and running mini student enterprises.

To further explore and develop the talents and potential of young entrepreneurs, this year Cork City Enterprise Board is bringing the competition to even more students with the Best Business Idea Competition box which will be hosted in schools over the next three months.

It’s never been easier for students to unlock their creativity and focus their inspiration,
aspiring entrepreneurs need only put pen to paper and drop their ‘idea’ card into a box to be in with a chance of winning this award.

The Creative Business Pitch Competition is open to 1^st to 6^th year students who wish to enter on their own or as part of a team. To challenge and develop their idea, students will be required to write, design and record a two-minute engaging video pitch for their inventive business concept. The best business pitches will then be shortlisted and showcased at a special screening next year.

The Schools Enterprise Programme, which runs for the duration of the school year, includes regional and national opportunities and aims to foster and harness
entrepreneurship among young people through combined classroom learning and real life experience of commercial activities. Students are given the chance to set up and run their own student business with class mates while at school.

Projects last year included an acclaimed social media anti-bullying accessory device, a
pop-up shop, an accessory for sports enthusiasts, a children’s teaching aid, a revision CD as well as a new physical activity game for all the family called Wacky Workouts.

One of last year’s regional finalists were Bishopstown Community School, Cork with their Cybersafe student enterprise project which focused on the key social issue of Cyber bullying that increasingly impacts on the lives of young people.

Their student enterprise involved the sale of wristband USBs with pre-loaded guidelines and tools for students to record incidents of online bullying.

Local success story, Natasha Lynch, Director of Essential French, will be on the judging
panel for the Best Business Idea and describes herself as a prime example of young entrepreneurship as she set up her own French For Fun Club at the age of just 12.

For more information about the Cork City Schools Enterprise Programme visit www.studententerprise.ie or call: 021 4662982.