On Thursday 19 March, with support from Young Enterprise Scheme (YES), the school hosted a Shark Tank themed event called Spark Tank Sprint. The YES Spark Tank Sprint event was a valuable and engaging experience for Year 13 Business Studies students, giving us the opportunity to present our business ideas in a more realistic, high-pressure setting.
In the lead-up to the event, a significant amount of preparation was required. Our group spent time developing and refining our business concept, making sure we had a clear understanding of our target market, pricing, and overall value. We also focused on strengthening our pitch and practising how to communicate our ideas clearly, which was important for us to feel prepared and confident in our presentation.
The atmosphere during the event was a mix of nerves and excitement. While presenting in front of the judges was challenging, the overall vibe was very supportive. Students were interested in each other’s ideas, and it was amazing to see the range of different businesses that had been created. This made the experience feel both collaborative and motivating.
A key part of the event was the panel of judges, who brought a wide range of business knowledge and experience. Their feedback was detailed and constructive, focusing not only on what was working well, but also on areas that we needed to improve on. They encouraged us to think more critically about aspects such as our marketing strategies, pricing decisions, and how we could better differentiate our product. This feedback was extremely useful and gave us clear direction moving forward.
Thank you to our Spark Sprint Tank coaches:
- Rui Peng (Critical, college alum)
- Emma O’Riordan (Hynds Foundation Business Academy)
- Jared Dinneen (Simx)
- Boston Boun (Licence to Win, college alum)
- Yogesh Gounder (Cafe Botannix Pakūranga)
- Leonardo Garcia (Waboom AI)
- Fathin (Deloitte, Senior Advisor for Social Impact)
- Matt Evans (Spark Business Hub)
Spark Tank Sprint is an important part of the 13BUS YES programme, as it allows us to apply what we have learned in class to a real-world context. It provides a chance to test ideas, receive expert advice and gain a better understanding of what is involved in running a business. The event was a worthwhile experience that helped us build confidence and develop our business ideas further. We are looking forward to using the feedback we received to continue improving our business throughout the rest of the year!
Savanna Quinn and Emma-Leigh Morrison – Year 13
