Local students with good ideas and a knack for business have pitched their proposals to a panel of judges as part of this year's Lion Foundation Young Enterprise Scheme.

The annual programme allows students to set up their own company, create real products or services, compile and implement a business plan and make real profit or loss.

The Eastern Bay of Plenty team.

The Dragons' Den held at Te Whare Wananga O Awanuiarangi on Monday was one component of the Young Enterprise Scheme and each group of students to pitch their business idea to a panel of local judges – Glassman & Locksmiths' Charmaine Hands, Angela Kershaw from Hamerton Lawyers, Kiran Watkins representing Horizon Energy and BOP Chartered Accountants along with CEO of EBOP Chamber of Commerce, Gerard Casey.

Five groups from Whakatane High School and Opotiki College took part.

Regional Coordinator Jo Finlay says the formal environment of the Dragons' Den gave students a taste of what business was really like.

'Students have to be prepared and know what they are talking about when they stand up in front of those judges. They do the research and treat their company as a real business venture.”

One standout team from Whakatane High School named ‘Future Farming' are a year 11 team who have created a business around reusable coffee cups which double as a tourism tool and promote the local area.

STREEM, another year 11 team from Whakatane High School, placed second with their unique idea about walking booklets about local bush walks and tracks which tie in local Maori myths and legends.

Students from Opotiki College, placed first overall.

The group have set up a company called Chemi QR which will develop and sell a product which will introduce a new and easy way of accessing Material Safety Data Sheet information using a quick and easy QR code scanner compatible with every smartphone device. This is aimed at year 12 and year 13 science and chemistry students and teachers to get students to engage in safety by interaction between chemical labels and smart phone technology. The labels are convenient and modern, supplying CAS number and

Hazard Pictograms.

Opotiki College Teacher in charge of the group Debbie McKillop says the Dragons Den event was a terrific way for students to bring their ideas and work to date into the real business world.

'The panel gave us really good feedback on how we could improve and we will definitely take that on board.”

Jo says all of this year's students were very impressive and had obviously spent many hours preparing their presentations with teacher and group mentors. In addition to gaining marks towards the yearlong competition, top teams won cash to assist their business venture.

The Lion Foundation Young Enterprise Scheme continues with upcoming events and opportunities for teams to gain points towards their final mark and win prizes, thanks to local sponsors Hamertons Lawyers, Beacon Business and Leisure Show and BOP Chartered Accountants.

Teams are now working hard on designing a business card for their team with the best design winning free business cards courtesy of Mann Print & Design.