CASE STUDY KIDSMBA

The idea for KidsMBA came from insolvency barrister Professor Mark Watson-Gandy. He observed that many of the failing businesses he worked with were not failing because they were based on a bad idea, but rather because they were making the same mistakes. Instead of learning through trial and error, KidsMBA aims to equip young people aged 11-15 with the skills to start and run a business, while avoiding common mistakes.

The course, which can be run as an intensive programme over eight days, is designed to introduce students to the mindset, know-how, and skills to run a business. The programme concludes with a Shark Tank/Dragons Den-style competition where students pitch their ideas to investors. Students can also compete to win a Star Performer certificate or trophy.

The course, which is accredited by ABE, a not-for-profit skills development specialist and awarding organisation, is available in over 30 countries. At Umubano Academy in Kenya, where 49 students took part, four-fifths (81%) “felt the course had inspired them to run their own business.” One student said “KidsMBA proves that even young people can have business ideas. The course helped us develop these ideas and made us feel valued, like our ideas matter”.