It’s a chance for youth attending Kelowna schools to show off their business chops.
On Tuesday night, the winners of the 2016 “Dragons’ Den Edition” of the annual Young Entrepreneur Competition were announced at an awards event held at Okanagan College.
Photo Submitted.From L to R: Mike Checkley, QHR Technologies (title sponsor) Josh Ruda, First place Secondary and Kevin Kaardahl, SD23 Superintendent of Schools.The competition, which wrapped up its 22nd year, includes students in Grades 7 to 12 and is collaboration between the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission, School District No. 23 Career Life Programs and Okanagan College School of Business.
“This event shines light on some great ideas, and perhaps more importantly, creates opportunity for young people to learn how to take an idea and make it happen,” said Mike Checkley, President and CEO of QHR Technologies Inc., the event’s title sponsor. “I was so impressed to see how well the students did in things like product innovation, business models, and public speaking.
“Regardless of their placing in this competition, they have all developed life-long skills from this experience.”
The Central Okanagan has one of the highest rates of entrepreneurship in Canada, and the aim of the program is to get youth excited about the concept.
A total of 50 teams signed up to participate, with teams of 1 to 5 students, who had to develop a product or service with both a marketing and financial plan.
Photo Submitted.From L to R: Mike Checkley, QHR Technologies (title sponsor), Teagan Adams, First Place Middle School and Kevin Kaardahl, SD23 Superintendent of Schools.
Students started on their idea in February and teams were mentored throughout the competition by business professionals in the community and ENACTUS students from the Okanagan College School of Business.
In total, 41 teams competed at the District Competition on May 2 and 3. All teams were invited to the Trade Show and Awards Ceremony on May 24 at Okanagan College, including the top five Middle School and top five Secondary School finalists, along with their parents and teacher sponsors. The top five Secondary School teams had to do a live pitch to determine the winners.
Out of all the Secondary School teams, Josh Ruda took home first place and $1,500 for his business KV Cresties.
KV Cresties specializes in producing crested geckos as first time pets as well as everything affiliated with owning a crested gecko. Ruda told organizers he was happy to show the positive side of the reptile market.
When it came to Middle School teams, first place went to Teagan Adams from Okanagan Mission Secondary, who won $1,000 and free tuition to the 2016 Startup Skool Summer Camp in Kelowna.
His company, Doogoods, is a card game that teaches kids to do good, feel good and change the world for good.
Adams, who is currently in grade 8, successfully pitched his business in season 7 of CBC’s Dragon’s Den.
For more information, visit the Doogoods website.
