A TEAM of students who set up their own business have been invited to Parliament after being named North Hertfordshire’s Company of the Year in a competition.
More than 130 14 to 18 year olds in schools across North Hertfordshire took part in education charity Young Enterprise’s Company Programme and set up a total of 14 businesses with help from local business volunteers.
Nine Year 12 students from the Nobel School in Stevenage won the top award of North Hertfordshire Company of the Year for their business Brainwave, which made a healthy profit after they designed, produced and sold an educational book for young children.
In recognition of their achievement, the students have been invited to tea at Parliament by Stevenage MP Stephen McPartland.
The students involved in the competition had to set up and run their own business for a year, after taking part in a Young Enterprise scheme which aims to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Catriona Austin, manager of Young Enterprise East England, said: “All the students had great businesses this year.
“The invitation to tea at the House of Commons is a fantastic reward for The Nobel School students, who will also now progress to the next stage of the competition at the University of Hertfordshire on June 13.”
Mr McPartland said: “I was very impressed with all the students and high quality companies they had developed.
“The enthusiasm, ideas and energy of the students was amazing and it was clear that some of our future local business leaders had taken part in the competition.
“It was a fantastic event and I look forward to welcoming the winners to Parliament.”
The Best Company Report award went to students from North Hertfordshire College, while a team from The Knights’ Templar School in Baldock won Best Trade Stand, and a second team from the Nobel School won Best Presentation.
Grace Mansfield-Young, a student from The Barclay School in Stevenage who took part in the programme last year and who now supports the charity as a volunteer, was awarded Volunteer of the Year.
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