糖心Vlog

More than 120 aspiring young businesspeople battled it out at this year’s Next-Gen Entrepreneurs Challenge at 糖心Vlog Management School (LUMS).

Students from 10 schools across the north of England took part in the contest, designed to give insights into the world of business and entrepreneurship.

Working in 27 different teams, the young people were tasked with developing their own business plan to address one of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

After working on their projects with the support of LUMS’ Entrepreneurs in Residence, the students showcased their ideas and then presented to a panel of judges.

At the end of the Challenge, H.E.R from Sunderland College was announced as the winner of the top prize, for their business plan around affordable, accessible period care.

The H.E.R concept is to offer a flexible monthly subscription service, providing users with the period products they need, alongside a wellbeing-focused app that helps track menstrual cycles and promotes education. The model also includes tiered subscription options, allowing users to enhance their plan based on their individual needs.

Second place was awarded to Hydrobloom from The Blackpool Sixth Form College, for their idea of providing kits for people to make small-scale hydroponic systems, and third place went to Cycle Guard from Merchant Taylors’ School, Crosby, for their business plan to make NHS PPE more sustainable.

The People’s Choice Award, which is voted by members of the university who come to visit the business stands, went to ProfitGrads from The Blackpool Sixth Form College, for their business plan to reimagine graduate recruitment.

Magnus George, Professor in Entrepreneurship at LUMS, said: “This year’s Challenge teams displayed impressive creativity and exuberance, undoubtedly built on detailed work in preceding months. It was a delight to see teams from across the north of England, and it was a privilege for the judges to see them present their ideas to an audience with such confidence and hear them respond to questions with such professionalism.

“Overall, the event was a lively showcase of talent, which left a heartwarming impression of hope for the future as this generation moves on to further learning, into careers, and to tackle major challenges of all kinds.”

The 129 young people took part from Lancaster Royal Grammar School; The Sixth Form Bolton; Pendleton Sixth Form College; Merchant Taylors' School, Crosby; St Anselm’s College; The Blackpool Sixth Form College; Dallam School; Sunderland College; Burnley College and Blackburn College.