Student ‘entrepreneurs’ face global challenge

A group of students representing the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants (NZICA) won the first stage of the ‘Global Enterprise Challenge,’ but a more formidable competition awaits them at the world stage.

The New Zealand competition, run by the Young Enterprise Trust and sponsored by Massey University, was held at the latter’s Albany campus on June 14, 2014..

The Contest this year had 80 students (Year 12 & 13) from various schools in New Zealand. Divided into ten teams, they were allotted 12 hours to develop a solution to a specific global challenge.

They were challenged to develop an innovative way to promote family farming and its potential benefits for the global economy.

Rebuilding bees

Team NZICA took out the hard-fought competition with their business plan for a company that produces urban farming kits to help rebuild New Zealand’s bee population and increase food production, especially in urban areas. The kits come complete with a bee hive and fruit and vegetable seedlings. The business plan also included a support website and online community for seeking expert advice, trading products and connecting with other bee enthusiasts around the world.

St Mary’s College student Kezia Lynch said that the feeling of winning the New Zealand competition after 12 hours of hard work was exciting but exhausting.

“I think the main skill I learned was to bond with people quickly to create a good team. In buisness, it is important to get along with your team. I always say that people are more important than the actual idea if you want to be successful,” she said.

Kezia intends to study communication and media studies next year but the Challenge has kindled her interest in business.

New generation

Massey College of Business Dean Professor Ted Zorn said that the University is committed to fostering the next generation of Kiwi entrepreneurs.

“Massey is serious about creating a culture of innovation. It is vital to the future economic success of the nation. The winners of the Global Enterprise Challenge have shown the creative and entrepreneurial promise of our future business leaders,” he said.

Eighty top students from around New Zealand were divided into ten teams to compete in the competition, which gives Year 12 and 13 students 12 hours to develop a solution to a specific global challenge.

The picture here shows (from left) Kezia Lynch (St Mary’s College), Rhiannon Donkin, (Opotoki College), Ben Seelen (Nayland College), Raditya Baboe (Westlake Boys’ High), Paige Thomas (Garin College) Simon Barnes (Rangitoto College) and Michael Lough (Westlake Boys’ High School).