The winners of the Six One (Year 12) Enterprise Challenge – in which entrepreneurial Sixth Form students go head to head to create their own profitable business – were recently announced.
The four finalist groups – Grow Benenden Grow (house plants), BenenDog (dog leads and toys), BeneBites (international snacks), and SpinSpresso (coffee and spin classes) – each pitched to a panel of specially-invited judges for a Dragon’s Den-style finale.This year the Dragons were investment banker and Benenden parent Alastair Clarke, International DJ and CEO of Mint DJs Tim Cullen, CEO of military veterans charity Waterloo Uncovered Mark Evans and Benenden Headmistress Samantha Price.All four groups gave excellent presentations, and it was clear that a great deal of work had gone into the pitches. The panel of Dragons were asked to judge the groups based on a number of criteria: the originality of their idea, profitability, their business and marketing plans, and the quality of their pitch.It was a tough decision but after much deliberation the BenenDog group were crowned the winners for their business selling BenenDog branded dog leads and rope dog toys. Creating a product aimed at Benenden staff and parents was considered highly original by the judges, who were also impressed by the group’s very professional presentation.The SpinSpresso group came a close second having impressed the judges with their pitch, logo and branding.Throughout the Enterprise Challenge, the students have demonstrated great commitment to and engagement with the task. It has given them the opportunity to develop their business skills while at the same time learning how to work effectively as a team and overcome new challenges.