THREE Young Enterprise teams from BCoT took part in a Dragons’ Den-style competition judged by industry professionals in a bid to win funding worth £200.

The Level 3 Business students formed teams Kahoona, Serenity and SNAP!

They were competing against other enterprise groups from The Costello and The Hurst schools.

During the evening, the young entrepreneurs had to showcase their goods, pitch ideas and present a business case for funding.

The judging panel asked the students about product development, finances, sales, marketing and teamwork.

They also had to discuss their successes as well as their failures and how they overcame hurdles and setbacks.

Following the pitches, £30 worth of funding was awarded to SNAP! for their innovative water-resistant speakers complete with branded packaging.

Serenity also won £70 for their shabby chic hand-made jewellery and decorations.

Kahoona were unsuccessful in their bid due to problems with their branding and the pricing of their candles.

They are now investing their time in developing their product further in time for an upcoming trade fair in The Malls, and have already made great progress.

Charlie Blake, managing director of SNAP!, said of the Dragons’ Den-style experience: “It’s been a big learning curve for us all, but we’ve really enjoyed it.

“One of the biggest challenges is adapting to working as a team, keeping everyone motivated and discovering what our strengths and weaknesses are.

“The real benefit of Young Enterprise is that we are learning whilst we’re working and trying to make a successful business along the way.”

Sarah Price, business and enterprise lecturer at BCoT, was delighted with the professional approach the learners took as they entered the competition.

She said: “Students worked really hard to prepare for this event and worked brilliantly amongst their teams.

“They faced many challenges, which they worked as a team to overcome. Some had success, others faced more hurdles and have now gone back to the drawing board to resolve these issues.”

Sarah believes that Young Enterprise gives students an invaluable insight into how businesses and companies work in industry, as well as allowing them to develop their course knowledge and key life skills.

“It also teaches them that not everything in business goes to plan, and that in order to succeed, you must work with your colleagues to fight against adversity. All three companies did this and I am very proud of them all,” added Sarah.

Serenity jewellery and Kahoona Kandles are now on sale in the college’s Aspiral shop, in Church Street.

And students from all three companies will be selling their goods at the trade fair in The Malls on Saturday, December 6. Please pop along and support them.