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Student entrepreneurs scoop prize

Future North East entrepreneurs have created a range of locally made products with a potential global audience.

Ideas ranging from hats knitted from the wool of local rare-breed sheep to clothes featuring wearable printable electronic screens were presented at the County Durham 2013 Future Business Magnates competition.

It is the eighth year the initiative has been organised for schools in the county as part of efforts to boost their business education. This year, 23 schools teamed up with local companies to create products and marketing plans under the Made in Durham – Sold to the World theme, and took part in six business challenges.

The eight-month project culminated with Greenfield Community School, supported by business partner Temp Team, being crowned overall winners.

The team created Paper Shaper, a business making cardboard furniture for children. They picked up a trophy plus £2,000 for their school and a £50 voucher each.

Cllr John Robinson, Vice Chairman of Durham County Council, said: “The Future Business Magnates competition is a great way of helping develop entrepreneurial spirit and enterprise skills in our young people.

“We hope that the experience and skills they have learnt during the competition this year will inspire the young people who participated, and encourage others, to become our future business people.

“Judging by the amazing work we’ve seen the young people put in, the future of business and enterprise is certainly in good hands in County Durham.”

Stewart Watkins, managing director of Business Durham, said: “What makes the Future Business Magnates competition so special is the significant time and effort that local businesses are willing to put in to mentor and advise the young people.

“The competition is a great way of teaching business skills to young people from an early age, not just in the classroom but how it works practically in the real world. We would like to thank all of the companies that supported the competition and helped make it a great success.”

The scheme is organised by Business Durham, Durham County Council’s business gateway, and the competition is supported by the County Durham Economic Partnership and Europe Direct and sponsored by local business.

Winning entries are on display at County Hall’s Durham room until July 5.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Karen Dent .