Bizstartup.ie - NewsKeyring idea wins Student Enterprise award

Students from Presentation College in Carlow came up with the ‘Rap-It’ idea, which was featured on The Late Late Show on 16 April.

Paul’s Pix from Bailieborough Community School in Cavan took the intermediate category award and ‘Play it Safe’ from CBS High School in Clonmel won the junior category award.

Showcase to a panel of judges

The up-and-coming entrepreneurs showcased their products and services for the judging panel, presenting a range of ideas fromchildren’s music books, home-baking kits, environmental board games, household chore coupons, educational cartoons to a turkey-rearing service.

The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Batt O’ Keeffe TD, together with one of Ireland’s best-known entrepreneurs, Bill Cullen, were both impressed with the standard of enterprise at this year’s National Final. 

“With nearly 15,000 students now involved in the Student Enterprise Programme nationally, it’s apparent that the spirit of enterprise has been well fostered in Irish classrooms. Thanks to the support of teachers, parents, principals and the local County and City Enterprise Boards, our student entrepreneurs here at the National Final are great ambassadors for the overall Student Enterprise Programme,” said the Minister.

Since last September, 400 schools have been involved in researching, setting-up and managing their own real-life student enterprises. Through the Student Enterprise programme, students learn how to brain-storm business ideas; they also learn how to identify solutions for everyday problems and they are encouraged to use their own talents in their entrepreneurial roles.

Further information about the Student Enterprise Programme, which will be launched for 2010/2011 in September can be found here.

Winners Senior Category

First place: Rap- It from Presentation College, Carlow

Second place: Planet Saverz from Scoil Mhuire, Clane, Co. Kildare

Third place: Fowl Play, Colaiste Mhuire, Buttevant, Co. Cork

Innovation award: Watstat, St. Caimin’s Community School, Shannon, Co. Clare

Best Display: The Quaid Quartet, Colaiste Bhride, Carney, Co. Wicklow

Special Merit: Grow With A Grin, Mercy College, Sligo

Professional Award: S.O.L.E. Saver Cards, St. Mary’s Secondary School, Edenderry, Co. Offaly

Winners Intermediate Category

First place: Paul’s Pix, Bailieborough Community School, Co. Cavan

Second place: Mangoes, Patrician Academy, Mallow, Co. Cork

Third place: Lunches 4 Less, O’ Carolan College, Nobber, Co. Meath

Innovation award: Sun Gazer, Pobal Scoil Chorca Dhuibhne, An Daingean, Co. Chiarraí

Best Display: Deja Vu, St. Augustine’s School, Limerick

Winners Junior Category 

First place: Play It Safe, CBS High School, Clonmel

Second place: Trinity, Colaiste na Trocaire, Rathkeale, Co. Limerick

Third place: Rebecca’s and Emily’s Recession Buster Cookbook, Loreto Abbey, Dalkey

Innovation Award: Domhan Samhail, Pobal Scoil Corca Dhuibhne, An Daingean, Co. Chiarraí

Photo: Winners of the senior category, 'Rap-It', Presentation College Carlow