Competition for young entrepreneurs with big ideas

A competition is under way for young Orkney pupils to showcase their “big” business ideas.

Young Entrepreneurs – Big Ideas has been designed for primary aged children to come up with a new business idea, or a twist to an existing business, that could be successful in Orkney.

The competition is part of the Orkney Business Festival and was designed as a way to get young people thinking about business.

The festival, running from April 20 to 22, is being organised by Business Gateway Orkney, Orkney Islands Council and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

Primary aged pupils can enter a “business plan” as an individual or group. The plan includes questions such as “What would your business be called?” and “What would your business sell?” Entries are also invited to draw a picture of their idea to help demonstrate what their business would look like.

The winner of the competition will receive a £50 voucher for Grooves.

Claire Kemp, Business Gateway manager, said: “The competition is an opportunity to get our children involved in Orkney’s first ever business festival.

“Children of all ages can have brilliant business ideas, and this contest will give them a chance to share it with their parents or build on their ideas with their friends. Children are all about creativity and this festival is all about business – so I am very excited to see what kind of inspiring and innovative ideas we get.”

Completed business plans should be send to the Business Gateway, 14 Queen Street, Kirkwall, and the winner will be announced at the opening of the Orkney Business Festival on Wednesday, April 20. Other entries will be shown off on Facebook throughout the three-day festival.

A copy of the “Business Plan” can be downloaded from www.orkney.gov.uk/Service-Directory/B/orkney-business-festival-2016.htm, which also details the other events are taking place during the Orkney Business Festival.

The competition closes on Wednesday, April 13.