Local school, TAFE, and young university students have the chance to gain funding and support for a business idea or creative project by entering the 2021 Hunter Young Business Minds Awards.
Young Business Minds (YBM) Chairperson and the Australian Government’s appointed Hunter Entrepreneurship Facilitator, Cheryl Royle said the awards are a great way to start putting an idea into action, test it, and connect with others to help take it forward.
Cheryl said the entry process is simple. Students submit a short video pitch outlining their idea or project. She said they don’t need to have developed a project or business plan.
“If anyone has a cool idea for a new business or product, a clever way to solve an existing problem or a creative project to benefit their community or school, they’d be crazy not to apply,” Cheryl said.
“There’s no reason why young people can’t establish a successful business. For some, this may be a better alternative to traditional employment.
“We want to empower the Hunter’s next generation of creators and innovators. Young people are our future, they will dream of new industries, create the new jobs and become our civic leaders.
“Some of the ideas and pitches coming in are amazing. In previous awards we have had ideas such as a rope and strap winding aid tool, an underwater and on surface autonomous vehicle, a shackle and tow rope for 4WDs, environmentally friendly sunscreen and a reusable coffee cup with QR code”
First prizes of $1,000 and second prizes of $500 will be given to students in each of four categories – primary schools, secondary schools, TAFEs and registered training organisation, and the University of Newcastle (for under 25s).
The winning students will receive free, ongoing business support through the Hunter Futurepreneurship Program.
Three prizes ($1,500, $1,000 and $500) of goods from Harvey Norman are also on offer to primary and secondary schools to reward teachers and principals who are encouraging creativity, innovation or entrepreneurialism in students.
YBM is a local not for profit organisation formed leaders in business and government to run the awards and support other activities to help develop creativity and entrepreneurship skills in the region’s youth.
The annual awards are back for a fourth year, after being postponed by COVID-19 in 2020 thanks to support of local businesses and organisations – Ampcontrol, Varley, Bengalla, Harvey Norman, TAFE NSW International, and the Integrated Innovation Network (I2N).
Business Hunter CEO and YMB Board Member, Bob Hawes, said the Hunter Young Business Mind Awards program is a great opportunity for the Hunter business community to support and encourage the region’s youth and build stronger relationships with our educators, which can only be beneficial for our region into the future.
For more information or to apply visit YBMA.
With students only just returning to classrooms because of COVID-19 lockdown, the deadline for applications has been extended from 31 October to 14 November.
The winners will be announced at a ceremony on 2 December.
IMAGE | 2019 Hunter Young Business Mind Award Winners.