We are delighted to be able to offer the students at La Côte International School an exceptional opportunity to be involved in an exciting initiative involving business, design and entrepreneurship.
Junior Entrepreneur, part of the D-Academy programme, is an initiative for young students to discover the world of entrepreneurship by giving them the opportunity to create a real product for a real company.
Over a period of seven weeks, on Wednesday afternoons in the summer semester, students will be introduced to entrepreneurship while developing their own project for an international company based in Switzerland. Through a series of practical workshops and team interactions, delivered by industry professionals, they will be exposed to all the aspects of what makes a company - from the design of the product through to purchase by the final customers.
Working in teams, students will learn what a business plan is, why it is important, how a project can be financed and how a product or service can be sold. They discover the business environment, unlock their own creativity by creating something new and throughout are mentored by established and successful entrepreneurs from the business world. The initiative uses a partner company, selected by D-Academy, that is willing to manufacture the most innovative design solution, selected by a jury, and then develop it through to market in the real world.
Some of the learning outcomes that will be covered include:
- Understanding a company, its function, its environment, roles within and issues
- Learning the different ways a company is financed and how to invest in a specific project
- Experimenting and putting into practice the art of public speaking
- Understanding the need for marketing with an introduction to sales techniques
- Developing creativity and innovation in product and idea development
- Awakening the entrepreneurial spirit – finding a solution where others see problems
The students will work through a series of seminars, presentations, tasks and challenges that will see external specialists (lawyers, designers, accountants, marketing and sales…) come in to school to deliver practical sessions to help the students develop their ideas and business plans. The process culminates in a panel of judges from industry evaluating the ideas and proposals (‘Dragons Den’ Style). The winners will see their product manufactured and sold in the market place and special presentations will take place during our end-of-year speech day at school.
Registrations are now open!
Contact: David.Ardley@international-school.org