Pupils from Mile Cross Primary School entered the Dragons’ Den this week, in the finale of a project aimed at inspiring young business minds and raising aspirations. Teams pitched their business ideas to the real-life dragons from Norwich’s business community, with the overall winners receiving a virtual investment into their idea. Pupils were mentored by the current Norwich School Lower Sixth, and were tasked with creating business plans, marketing strategies and financial projections for their business. Ideas ranged from customised key chains, detachable football boot studs to panic alarm jewellery and solar boosted roller boots! All pitches impressed the judges with their clear purpose, marketing strategies and professional pitches on the day. The runners up were ‘ACDM Sport’ with their waterproof and washable football boots and the winners were ‘We Are ElectroAbs’ for their indoor/outdoor cycle, made with sustainable materials, that will charge your laptop/mobile phone while you ride! Norwich School received the support of the Business Dragons, Nova Fairbank, Chief Operating Officer at Norfolk Chambers of Commerce, Caroline Jarrold, the Sheriff of Norwich and Tom White, Head of Economics and Business at Norwich school. Commenting on the finale, Nova Fairbank said: “The students pitching in the Dragon’s Den have done an amazing job. Their presentations were well thought out and they had clearly done lots of work and research before presenting enthusiastic and interesting pitches. The Dragons had a truly difficult decision to select the winning bid and congratulations to ‘We Are ElectroAbs’ on their winning pitch. The talent and energy in the room was brilliant and I think we may have seen several future entrepreneurs! Well done to all the teams.” Fellow Dragon, Caroline Jarrold said: “It was so impressive to see the pitches from the students and the creativity of their ideas. It must have been quite a daunting situation for them and they did incredibly well in presenting their proposals and business plans. It is heartening to see a collaboration of this nature between the two schools and all of the pupils should be very proud of their achievements. I felt that we saw some really good signs of enterprise and imagination and hope that the students will look back on a day which gave them a great opportunity to work together, develop ideas and skills and build their confidence for the future.”
