The Year 10 Business Innovation class, led by Senior School Teacher and Fellow Innovator, Shelley Lloyd-Smith, recently brought entrepreneurial flair to the forefront with an engaging “Shark Tank”-style pitch event!
Drawing on core Entrepreneurship and Business Management principles, students explored key concepts such as leadership, strategic thinking, marketing, and financial planning. Over several weeks, they honed their ideas and crafted detailed business proposals aimed at convincing a panel of “Sharks” – Commerce Department Staff Mr Chew, Ms Liu and Mr Fiddes – to invest in their ventures.
Shelley highlighted that this project is more than just a classroom exercise; it was an opportunity for students to sharpen their business acumen, embrace creative problem-solving and bring bold visions to life – all while laying the foundation for future enterprise and innovation:
Whether they were presenting a groundbreaking product or a game-changing service, each student team focused on demonstrating both purpose and profitability. Along the way, they developed valuable real-world skills, including budgeting, setting SMART business goals and applying basic accounting knowledge.
As part of their assessment, students were challenged to create their own social enterprises – businesses designed not only for profit but also to make a positive impact in the community. Here’s a snapshot of the pitches presented:
- ‘Re Bite’: Aurelia and Sophie offered 15% equity for $60K in their fresh and socially conscious sushi venture.
- ‘Fireside Tea’: Amily, Janet, and Wendy pitched a sustainable tea concept, asking for $60K in exchange for 10% equity.
- ‘Charge Mate’: Jensen, Dylan, Thehan, Victor, and Daniel sought $150K for 10% equity in their innovative portable charging solution.
- ‘Echoes of the Ancients’: William, Ahan and Zayd proposed an immersive virtual reality experience, seeking a bold $1 million for 20% equity.
- ‘Re-Stitch & Co.’: Ruby and Fred focused on fashion sustainability, asking for $20K in exchange for 10% of their upcycled clothing brand.
- ‘La Eco’: Nishka, Belinda, Curtis, and Reese pitched a unique accessories line, requesting $300K for a 20% stake.
The energy, creativity and strategic thinking on display made for a fiercely competitive and inspiring showcase. As the “Sharks” deliberate on which enterprise stood out the most, one thing is clear: the future of business innovation is in very capable hands.
Stay tuned – the winning pitch might just be the next big thing!
