29 October 2014
Palmerston North Girls' High School students win Company of the Year Award | Young Enterprise Trust
Jesh Designs has been named as the Manawatu/Whanganui Young Enterprise Company of the Year, and will travel to
Wellington to compete in the national final for The Lion Foundation Young Enterprise Scheme.
More than 2500 students nationwide have taken part in The Lion Foundation Young Enterprise Scheme this year, setting up
600 small businesses along the way. The programme is run nationwide by Young Enterprise Trust, with BCC (Building Clever
Companies) coordinating the programme in Manawatu/Whanganui
Jesh Designs was chosen as the best company overall from the Manawatu/Whanganui region. Their product is an
eco-friendly, home décor business that specialises in producing foot stools made from recycled materials such as old
soft drink bottles.
"Once again we've been amazed at the calibre of products and services that Lion Foundation Young Enterprise students
have created," says Young Enterprise CEO Terry Shubkin. "We look forward to welcoming Jesh Designs to Wellington in
December at the National Final."
Nineteen student companies will compete in the National Final on Wednesday 10 December. Each company will have five
minutes to pitch their business to the judging panel which includes leading entrepreneurs and business leaders. The
overall winner will be named at the National Awards dinner that evening.
In addition, Jesh Designs have won a National Award for Excellence in a particular area of business. They will find out
which area they have excelled in and the details of the prize at the National Awards dinner.
Two other major announcements were also made at the awards:
1. Anna Skeggs, Palmerston North Girls' High School was also named the National AUT University Scholar of the Year.
Anna obtained the highest grade in the YES Exam which she sat in August. Anna will be awarded her prize at the National
Award dinner in December.
2. Jonathan Brandon, Freyberg High School, is one of just 32 Young Enterprise alumni nationwide who have been
invited to take part in Venture Up, a six-week business accelerator programme in Wellington. Venture Up is being run by
Creative HQ, founder of the popular business incubator programme 'Lightning Lab'. Jonathan will get to work with other
alumni to develop new products and services, and will be mentored by some of New Zealand's best business leaders.
BCC also awarded their inaugural 'BCC Choice' award to R.a.R.e., UCOL's YES team consisting of students from as far
north as Ohakune to as far south as Wairarapa.
"Despite the geographical challenges R.a.R.e faced, the team was able to come up with a product that fixed a problem and
showed true entrepreneurial spirit. Plus, they were a really great group of kids," says Richard Dryden,
Manawatu/Whanganui Young Enterprise Regional Coordinator.
ENDS