Move over Sir Alan Sugar – the Bedford School entrepreneurship programme, aptly named Start Up!, has begun!
Designed exclusively for the boys, this new programme, led by Entrepreneur Lead Mr Simon Everitt, was created to foster the spirit of innovation, and equip boys with the necessary skills and knowledge to thrive in a dynamic business environment.
Mr Everitt explained, “Our world is one in which we have the opportunity to make a positive impact, if we are prepared to think creatively, work together and put our ideas into action. This is the essence of the entrepreneurial mindset, and Start Up! seeks to help boys to tap into their inner confidence and innovation in order to lead change, both now and in the future.”
The week-long award programme, which took place at the end of the summer term, was designed to go beyond talking about ideas and to make things happen. Teams were challenged to establish a ‘minimum viable product’ in a week – in other words, to start a fledgling business from scratch.
Stepping away from their classroom learning and into the real world, boys tested their ideas through market research, including speaking with entrepreneurs and business owners in Bedford to better understand their challenges and opportunities.
Fifth Former Tanay Rai was part of the team whose idea it was to set up a social media account that celebrates and connects local businesses in Bedford. He explained, “I really enjoyed the market research part, where I went out onto Bedford High Street and talked to local business owners to ask them how they utilise social media to increase their customer market. I thoroughly loved every minute of the experience and loved talking to the local business owners of Bedford. I chose to do the market research as I was keen to develop my communication skills, and what better way to do this than going to talk to people!”
Additionally, the boys learnt how to understand their customer, build a strong team, plan their business and develop their brand. Boys worked with entrepreneur and OB, Harry Beard (13-18) and teachers from our business and economics department to consider business planning, and our in-house marketing team to help refine their own marketing approach.
Boys spent time working with Sam Roberts, Prep School teacher and renowned sports commentator, on the best ways to communicate their message powerfully and persuasively ahead of the grand finale, where the boys were required to pitch their young businesses to a panel of judges, OB Roger Marks (71-82) and OB Mark Hall (86-91), from the world of business. After all the hard work was done, boys received some constructive feedback from the panel, as they enjoyed networking with them, as well as a certificate to mark their achievements.
Tanay, whose team were commended by the judges, said afterwards, “The program gave me a great opportunity to gain a deeper insight into the world of business through practical means and allow me to understand what it is like to ‘own’ a business. Looking to the future, I would really love to start a business that tries to reduce educational inequalities within the UK, through a website that contains student-led demos for GCSE biology, chemistry and physics.”
