Enterprise & Finance Pathway
The Enterprise Pathway is a hands-on opportunity to experience business development.
Just as any business environment adapts to the circumstances and conditions around it, so the activities vary each year with the common core of practical enterprise.
In the most recent year, we have continued with this approach, despite the challenges of COVID-19. There have been two Pathways groups, broken down into sub-teams.
The common idea has been the ‘cradle to grave’ development of a business. This has included idea generation, marketing, costings and distribution. This is leading at the end of the year to a ‘Dragon’s Den’ style presentation to a panel in order to raise finance for the business idea.
Previously, the same basic approach has been applied in different ways for example through:
The Foundation puts in finance. Teams produce a business plan, present it to judges and may be rewarded (as we have been) with loan funds to invest in a business idea. The Foundation would then expect the money repaid and a profit made. The competition finals are held in Buckingham Palace. competition finals in Buck House, rewarding the best profit and the best ideas.
A group of 12 students formed a company under the Young Enterprise scheme and created a brand. They then traded their products and were entered into the national competition. The team won local and regional awards and competed in national finals.
Whilst activities may vary, students will gain experience of business development and enterprise in a practical setting.