The Headmaster’s Business Award returned this term with Year 10 and 12 business studies pupils putting their entrepreneurial skills to the test by coming up with a new product or service that could be developed and sold into the sports and leisure industry. Following an initial round, the finalists were grilled by a panel of ‘Dragons’ before a winner was subsequently announced.
The Headmasters’ Business Award, founded in 2015 by the Business Studies Department, was a competition previously open to Year 12 business studies pupils and is the culmination of the students’ work on their marketing-based units. Year 10 pupils previously had their own ‘Dragons Den’ styled competition however, this year, were able to enter alongside the Year 12 pupils in a single competition.
Round 1 took place on Tuesday 4 June and consisted of pupils pitching their ideas to staff and pupils. Armed with their boards, posters and products, the pupils had lunchtime to present their product or service. Staff and pupils from across the College, following some serious scrutinising, then had the opportunity to vote for the ideas with the most potential.
Votes counted; a final lineup was announced with the following making it through to the grand final on Thursday 6 June:
- Shiplake Sports App – Luca Poundall and Will Rider – an app that provides every service to benefit a school’s sports teams. The app includes features such as timetabled training sessions and fixtures as well as recommendations on users’ training to develop their skills.
- Quantum Coaching – Ben Stokes and James Coe – an AI cricket coaching app that analyses users’ cricket videos and directs them to the appropriate coaching videos made by a team of coaches associated with the app. The aim is to make high level cricket coaching accessible through schools and clubs across the country.
- Paws Ability – Thomas Rowe, Indigo Doherty, and Ethan Fulton – a ball that will help disabled, mainly blind, dogs to have fun with their owners, The product produces a smell so the dog can track it, as well as a noise that can only be heard by the dog.
- MatchView – Rory O’Boyle and Carl Seymour – an app that will allow people who love sport to go and watch it at a venue. The app will help users locate the nearest bars, pubs, and venues to watch sport they possibly cannot afford to go and watch in their respective homes.
In the final showdown, each group had to pitch their idea to a panel of ‘Dragons’, summarising their product or service and why it is investment worthy. On the panel sat the Headmaster, Mr Howe; Head of Business Mrs Hill; and Old Viking Tom Stuart (22E) who is the Founder of Pizza Please.
The questions focused on aspects of the 4Ps (price, place, product, promotion) and pupils had to consider costs, revenue, profitability, promotional methods, scalability (potential for growth), features and benefits of the product/service. It proved to be an intense affair with the Dragons delving deep into the ideas and really scrutinising our young entrepreneurs’ business plans and proposals.
However, there could only be one winner with the 2024 Headmaster’s Business Award going to Rory O’Boyle and Carl Seymour with MatchView. Following the final, Rory and Carl were treated to a complementary pizza for lunch!
Speaking after the competition, Head of Business – Mrs Hill – said:
‘As Head of Department, I am thrilled to extend my heartfelt congratulations to MatchView for their outstanding achievement in winning the Headmaster’s Business Award 2024. This award is a testament to their exceptional innovation, dedication, and entrepreneurial spirit.
Witnessing the array of entrepreneurial skills demonstrated in the final was truly impressive as noted by judges, Mr Howe and Tom Stuart from Pizza Please. The creativity and business acumen displayed by all participants was remarkable, and this sets a high standard for future competitions.
Congratulations to MatchView for taking the win!’
Well done to everyone who took part in this year’s competition, particularly to the Year 10 pupils who went toe to toe with the Year 12s and for making it such an impressive event. The level of detail and creativity that went into all of the ideas truly showcased the entrepreneurial side of our pupils.
