What happens when you gather a group of youngsters and ask them to create their own start-up business? That’s the big question behind this brilliant skill-building competition for secondary schoolers – and the answers are always fascinating to behold. With the support of a grown-up mentor, each team has to create a business idea and then launch it within their community. The profits they make go to Concrete Rose Collective, a non-profit organisation that works with young people in Cambridge, UK.
Donate to Concrete Rose
The cause
Concrete Rose is a Cambridge-based CIC that provides high-quality accommodation and education support for vulnerable youngsters. They do this principally by connecting young people in need – including care leavers, young parents and unaccompanied asylum seekers – with supported lodgings around the city. These are often in host homes, generally (though not exclusively) offered by people in the local church network.
The challenge
The Enterprise Challenge is designed for Year 9 school pupils in the Cambridge area, and takes place each year from January to May. Students join a team of up to six people. They then start to create and build a business idea together. This could be anything from a cookery-based project to a range of wooden toys. It just has to be a viable, sellable product. The pupils meet weekly in school to develop their idea and bring it to market. With support from an adult mentor with business experience, they’ll launch their business and run trading days at school and in a local shopping centre. In May, each team presents their enterprise to a judging panel of local business people. The winning team receives a prize – and all profits generated by the teams’ sales go to support the work of Concrete Rose.
Thank you for giving me a new worldview and perspectives on business. Be blessed in everything you do!
Geoffrey, Enterprise Challenge student
Your wisdom and experience were such a great tool and help this week. Thanks for the challenges.
Murray, Enterprise Challenge student
You guys are so full of knowledge and wisdom. Real motivation. Thanks!
TL, Enterprise Challenge student
