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YOUNG ENTERPRISE SCHEME
The Young Enterprise programme wrapped up for 2024 with our Regional Awards Night on 31 October. Many prizes were awarded by our generous and supportive local sponsors.
A huge congratulations to Fundamentally Fungi from Francis Douglas Memorial College who came out on top as the 2024 Taranaki Regional Winner, for its innovative mushroom jerky snack. The company run by Kendrick Torres (CEO), Cooper Grainger and Ethan Salve, delivered the best pitch against five other teams from local high schools to take out the top spot. The team was acknowledged for its excellent problem-solving skills, ability to pivot and knowing how to reach their customers.
We had six finalist teams pitching to judges in front of a live audience in the hopes of becoming the regional champions. The other finalist teams were BYou and Māiatanga from Stratford High School, Emergency & Disaster Kits from New Plymouth Boys’ High School and Kiri Wai Ora and Wavewax, from Spotswood College.
Wavewax from Spotswood College was named as the Regional Runner-Up, for its ocean friendly surf wax made with help from the school beehive.
It was also announced on the night that BYou and Māiatanga from Stratford High School were Runners-Up in two different National Excellence Awards - BYou for the NZ International Development Cooperation Award for Solving a Developmental Problem, and Māiatanga for the Te Anamata NZ Māori Tourism Award for Rangatahi Entrepreneurs. Both teams have done extremely well with this being the school’s first year participating in YES.
Fundamentally Fungi now competes at the National Final on the 5th of December in Wellington, to vie for the title of The Lion Foundation Young Enterprise Scheme Company of the Year, along with 21 other regional champions from across New Zealand. We wish them the best of luck!
A programme like YES would not be possible in our region without the generous support of our sponsors. A special thanks to our key partner WITT and to our key funder - Toi Foundation.
Regional Award Winners
WITT Regional Company of the Year: Fundamentally Fungi, Francis Douglas Memorial College
Spark Digital Regional Runner-Up: Wavewax, Spotswood College
BDO Annual Review Award: Māiatanga, Stratford High School
Graphix Business Card Award: Shielded, Francis Douglas Memorial College from Stratford High School, Emergency & Disaster Kits from New Plymouth Boys’ High School and Kiri Wai Ora and Wavewax, from Spotswood College.
South Taranaki District Council Business Innovation Award: Fundamentally Fungi, Francis Douglas Memorial College
Speaking Made Easy Business Presentation Award: BYou, Stratford High School
Taranaki Chamber of Commerce Business Showcase Award: Fundamentally Fungi, Francis Douglas Memorial College
Implement Customer Service Award: Fundamentally Fungi, Francis Douglas Memorial College
Barbara Kuriger MP Enhancing Rural Communities: Fundamentally Fungi, Francis Douglas Memorial College in Wellington, to vie for the title of The Lion Foundation Young Enterprise Scheme Company of the Year, along with 21 other regional champions from across New Zealand. We wish them the best of luck! megan@taranakichamber.co.nz
BDO Financial Management Award: Māiatanga, Stratford High School
WITT Ideation Validation Award: BYou, Stratford High School
Office Furniture First Rangatahi Award: Māiatanga, Stratford High School
Centre City Retail Award: BYou, Stratford High School
TGM Social Media & Marketing Award: Wavewax, Spotswood College
Taranaki Regional Council Sustainable Business Award: Māiatanga, Stratford High School
The Seaside Market Trade Fair Award, Fundamentally Fungi, Francis Douglas Memorial College
