Young entrepreneurs are the business

SCHOOL STUDENTS recognised for their business ideas yesterday spoke about social and environmental responsibility as well as their optimism for future entrepreneurial endeavours.

A maths-based computer game and a recycled jewellery company were among the winners from primary and secondary schools at the Youth Entrepreneur Awards.

Many of the 600 young entrants came from areas of high unemployment or low income in Dublin, Limerick and Belfast, and took part in Foroige’s National Foundation for Training Entrepreneurship (NFTE) programme.

“I want to own loads of shops and study business in secondary school,” said 12-year-old Adam Mac Neill of St Peter’s primary school in Greenhills, Dublin.

He set up a personalised placemat business in school with classmate Adam Keogh. They were commended by the judges for using recycled cardboard in their project, and for donating 10 per cent of their €170 profit to charity.

“We didn’t have to give money to charity but wanted to,” said Adam Keogh.

Environmental issues were also a priority for two fifth-year students from St Dominic’s secondary school in Ballyfermot, Dublin.

Earth-friendly fashions company Mishy K Productions was set up by Jade Kearney and Michelle Coakley as part of the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme.

They used recycled materials for their handmade necklaces and earrings such as broken CDs, bracelets from charity shops and beads from old T-shirts. “You can make jewellery from almost anything,” Michelle said.

She plans to set up a business after school and hopes to study art and design. Jade enjoyed designing the logo and slogan, and wants to study marketing or journalism, with an arts and crafts business on the side.

Two transition-year students from Killinarden Community School in Tallaght hope their €5 maths computer game will aid teachers and parents trying to motivate children to learn.

Their game can be used on any computer and gives children points for every sum they answer correctly. They are rewarded with a game of hangman or Xs and Os when they reach 300 points.

They got the idea from sitting in primary school themselves and answering question after question. Instead, the mini-game motivates children and breaks the monotony.

“Before this I wanted to be a chef,” said Andrew Gannon, who developed the graphics and now wants to go into business.

His business partner, Gavin Kenna, is a self-taught computer programmer who hopes to study computer science and business when he leaves school.

The teenagers have already moved on to their next project involving literature for Junior and Leaving Cert students, and will soon begin selling their maths game online.

Programme organisers believe the attitude of the young people is part of the programme’s success.

“Students find a new confidence and self-belief to succeed, and can turn their street-smart talents into business opportunities” said Jack McGowan, chairman of the NFTE board.