After winning an in-house competition which was judged by Dynamo Role Model Geraint Hughes, a group of budding business magnates from Coleg Menai travelled to Cardiff to represent the college at the final of the Global Entrepreneurship Challenge 2012.  This year’s competition brief had a taste of the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics about it, as groups were asked to develop a product or service which would ensure that the spirit of 2012 left a lasting legacy in Wales. 

All competitors were given 24 hours to develop a business idea, business plan and a cashflow proposal, in order to give a detailed presentation on their business proposition to experts the following day.  The college tutors accompanying the teams were not allowed to help them, but there were some experts on hand, and the teams were handed some “Dynamo Dollars” which they could use to “buy” expert advice from various Dynamo Role Models on issues such as Marketing, Business Advice and Presentation Skills.

The group from Coleg Menai decided to call their business Localympics, and produced a business plan which would see their company promote mini-olympic events in Welsh schools and colleges, introducing youngsters to some of the more unusual sports, such as ping-pong and climbing. 

After an extremely tough competition involving 18 other colleges, the group from Menai’s Art and Design programme area emerged victorious, winning a trophy together with funding towards travel to the next stage of the competition, where they would represent Wales in Kyoto, Japan during June.                     

Lecturer Natalie Williams was thrilled with the students’ performance, saying: “They were outstanding.  Their creativity and commitment shone through, and their presentation stole the show!  I am extremely proud of each and every one of them!”

Second-year student Josh Hughes added: “We had a fantastic time.  It was such a great experience, working together as a team with my friends, and we were made up when we won!”

 Business Minister Edwina Hart congratulated the Coleg Menai team on their success and thanked all those who helped make the event so successful.  They included guest speaker David Roberts, one of Britain's most successful Paralympians having won eleven gold medals and entrepreneur Kevin Green, who was once homeless but is now one of the UK’s largest residential property landlords and has featured on Channel 4’s Secret Millionaire.

Mrs Hart said: “This event has been highly successful this year and I would like to congratulate all the colleges - students and staff - for their hard work, enthusiasm and commitment.  I am delighted that Coleg Menai will now represent Wales at the Global Finals in June and wish the team every success.

“The competition provides a great opportunity to showcase the creativity and entrepreneurial skills of students from further education colleges across Wales and the finals are the culmination of months of activities.  It is events like these that inspire entrepreneurs of the future and help young people to consider starting their own business. The experience also benefits businesses looking for employees with true entrepreneurial spirit to add value to their business.”

The Minister also thanked Dynamo Role Models who gave up their time to help and mentor the teams and judge the competition. 

At the World final in Kyoto, the group submitted a fantastic business plan outlining their idea of developing a retro drive-in cinema with a 1950’s style vintage theme called Metro Movies.

Competing against 15 other countries, the group came 3rd. This is a fantastic achievement and without a doubt a great way of showcasing the fantastic enterprising work done throughout the Wales colleges.

Well done and congratulations!

To watch the groups submission, please click on the following link http://youtu.be/yq9JTWYbPaw