Gordonstoun School pupils take part in Dragon’s Den-style contest

New entrepreneurs have been given a first taste of the business world.

Pupils from Gordonstoun were taking part in Young Enterprise Scotland Highland & Moray Area’s version of television’s Dragons’ Den.

Youngsters pitched their ideas for products to a panel of local businesspeople.

The team named Silent Walk received £60 to kickstart production of their scented reed diffusers using botanicals from the school grounds.

All teams taking part received valuable advice on how to progress their plans in time to set up a stall at the annual Young Enterprise Scotland Christmas trade fair in the Eastgate Centre, Inverness on Saturday, December 14.

The Young Enterprise Scotland Company Programme for Highland and Moray runs in partnership with local schools and businesses across the area to encourage young people to experience the challenges of running a business.

Over the course of a year teams from individual schools learn how to run a successful business by designing and making products, marketing them and managing the financial side of the business.

The scheme is aimed at 15 to 19-year-olds and teams are supported by teachers, a volunteer business adviser from the local community, and an area team.

Linda Thomas, Chair of YES Highland and Moray, said: “Dragons’ Den is a real challenge for our teams as they finalise their ideas for their products and sell them to the panel.

“Our Dragons were extremely impressed with the progress they’ve already made in getting their companies set up and their products ready for market.

“Taking part in the Young Enterprise Company Programme is not just about learning how to run a business, though.

“Our teams learn how to work as a team, overcoming challenges and building resilience – all of which is great preparation for their careers and will stand them in good stead in the future.”

The members on the Dragon’s Den panel were Graham Alexander (AJ Engineering), Claire Munro (Highlands and Islands Enterprise), Debi Weir (R-evolution for Good) and Grant Wright (Everyone Entertained).