This year 24 teams of Year 9s have taken part in the 10X Challenge, a national competition for young people aged from 11 – 19 years. Run by Young Enterprise, the UK’s leading enterprise and financial education charity, the challenge helps young people to develop the skills they need for life and work.

All 90 students were pledged £10 from the 10X Bank to use this start-up capital to get their enterprise up and running.  They then had four weeks to set up their business – coming up with an idea of a product or service they can sell and gain first-hand experience of what it’s like to be an entrepreneur. The teams had to create their own logo, take part in a sales pitch competition and market their products from mid-April to mid May.

To see links to their website and Instagram accounts click here.

Last week at the Year 9 Award Assembly, we were delighted to give the following awards for the 10X Challenge:

Most Profitable Business

1. Roseum – £149 (Ana O, Charlotte T, Yasmin I)
2. Happy Ties – £101.10 (Nanthana L, Katie M, Salem Y, Catriona G)

Best Logo

1. Wax n’ Wicks (Teya C, Annabel B, Nell K-S, Hope G)
2. Bee Green (Amelia D, Nicola H, Rosie H, Hannah K)
3. Crystal Cave (Carmen H, Millie S, Amara G, Maya M, Kikuko K)
4. Buzzy Bees (honourable mention!)

Best Sales Pitch

1. Buzzy Bees (Aisha M, Clemmie W, Ellie C, Olivia H)
2. Happy Ties (Nanthana L, Katie M, Salem Y, Catriona G)
3. Roseum (Ana O, Charlotte T, Yasmin I)

Best in Sustainability

1. F.A.I.E (Avneet S, Emmi S, Freya N, Ishikaa G)

10X for Good

1. Libertii – donating 10% of profits to charity (Nirupama K, Jenny P)

Best Marketing Campaign/Google Site

1. Four Seasons (Addy M-S, Sophia M, Martha H)

Miss Watkins, Head of Economics said: “I was thrilled to see so many students in Year 9 participating in the 10X Challenge. This year has been unlike any other, as not only did the young entrepreneurs face the setbacks one might normally expect when starting a new venture but they had to navigate complex COVID restrictions. Impressively, the girls adapted to the current economic climate by turning to technology. Each team created a Google Site for their businesses which enabled them to promote their products and take orders. The teams demonstrated true entrepreneurial spirit, alongside other important capabilities such as problem-solving, financial and digital skills.”

The next opportunity for these girls will be to take part in the Tycoon Enterprise Competition in Year 12 and participate in our newly designed mini MBA course! And of course, we are looking forward to seeing how the current Year 8s will get on with the next 10X Challenge in Spring 2022!