SCOTS pupils flocked to a Dragon’s Den event in an attempt to pitch social enterprise ideas to a panel of local dragons.
The event, which took place at the Carnegie Conference Centre in Dunfermline, welcomed both primary and secondary schools from across Fife.
On the Dragon’s panel were Geoffrey Proudlock from Fife College, Claire Fraser from the Social Enterprise Academy, Dot Smith from Fife Council’s Economic Development Team, and John Penman from Glenrothes-based Fife Fabrications Ltd.
The Social Enterprise Academy’s social entrepreneurs supported the pupils to design, create and launch their social enterprises.
A comprehensive pitch from the General Manager and Business Secretary of Pop Shop from Balwearie High School impressed the dragons.
Pop Shops’ study packs and stationery with key motivational messages, a business idea already making a profit, impressed the dragons and encouraged them to part with their cash and invest in the duo from Balwearie High School.
Leading the way for Fife’s Primary Schools was Torbain Primary School in Kirkcaldy who impressed the judges with their eco-friendly garden idea.
Taking a whole school approach to looking after their playground and encouraging biodiversity, they held a gardening sale to earn funds to buy plants, develop eco-habitats, and more.
Tulliallan Primary School’s pitch inspired Glenrothes-based business, Fife Fabrications who supported the school’s business idea by contributing £50 towards a new smoothie machine to help production.
John Penman from Fife Fabrications Ltd said: “The team at Fife Fabrications is hugely supportive of giving back to local people and communities, taking every opportunity to bring in new ideas or take on challenges that generate donations for good causes they believe in.”
Commenting on the project, Alison Sinclair from Fife Council’s Culture of Enterprise said: “I was impressed with the level of innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurial skills the young people showed; their confidence level was inspiring.
“I look forward to seeing the social enterprises flourish over the coming months.
“Thanks to the Dragons, partners, local businesses, and schools for participating and making the event successful.”
All participating schools were awarded £50 seed money as a surprise at the end of the event to encourage them to grow their social enterprises and realise the benefit of doing so.
Dragon’s Den is part of The Culture of Enterprise programme, delivered in partnership with Social Enterprise Academy, Fife College, and Developing The Young Workforce Fife.
