Summary:
Hundreds of young entrepreneurs participated in the Young Enterprise NI Big Market, showcasing business skills.
Over 130 student companies focused on sustainability and utilized social media for promotion.
Ballymena Academy's 'Coastify' gained 263.1K views on TikTok, highlighting the importance of digital platforms.
Wallace High School crafted bracelets from repurposed fishing nets, raising awareness on plastic pollution.
Funding cuts threaten the future of the Young Enterprise program, impacting support for young innovators.
Young Entrepreneurs Turn Business Ideas into Reality
Hundreds of young entrepreneurs from across Northern Ireland showcased their business skills at the annual Young Enterprise NI Big Market. This year, 130 student companies from 80 schools and colleges participated, focusing on sustainability in their business plans while leveraging social media for promotion.
The event, held at St George's Market in central Belfast, featured a judging panel of business leaders and was part of the Young Enterprise NI's entrepreneurship programme, designed to give students real-world business experience.
Innovative Solutions from Student Teams
Among the standout projects, Ballymena Academy's 'Coastify' team effectively used TikTok to promote their products, gaining significant visibility with a post that reached 263.1K views. They emphasized the importance of social media in reaching their target market.
Wallace High School made waves with their bracelets crafted from repurposed fishing nets found in Lough Neagh, raising awareness about plastic pollution.
Cambridge House Grammar School turned old clothes into fashionable items, reducing landfill waste while maintaining profit margins. Their initiative reflects a growing trend of upcycling.
The Importance of Experience
Teachers noted the event was invaluable for students, providing them with a genuine taste of the business world, including setting targets and understanding market viability. Mrs. Conlon from St Patrick's High School emphasized the experiential learning aspect, stating that such exposure is irreplaceable.
A Generation of Resilience
Carol Fitzsimons, chief executive of Young Enterprise NI, highlighted that this year is particularly significant as it marks the first time many students have been able to sell their products publicly post-pandemic. She expressed concerns about the impact of funding cuts on future support for these young innovators, as the organization has lost all public funding in 2023.
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