A bin capable of weighing food waste and encouraging recycling and composting was the winning entry in an innovation competition for young entrepreneurs.
The annual County Durham Future Business Magnates competition saw Year 8 pupils from local schools apply creativity and problem-solving to a range of challenges.
Organised by Business Durham, the business support service of Durham County Council, this year’s theme was ‘What a Wonderful World – Can you Make it Better?’.
And after an exciting finale at Hardwick Hall, pupils from King James I Academy took first place overall with their ‘Smart Weigh’ business.
Their ingenious concept is based on an eco-friendly bin that can weigh food waste, with users then earning points according to how much of the waste is recycled or composted.
Runners-up, Belmont Community School, came up with ‘TechC’, a camera installed inside people’s fridges to monitor the shelf life of products.
Framwellgate School’s team bagged third place for their educational ‘ShoreSavers’ package, designed to teach primary school children about protecting the earth’s oceans.
Cllr Joan Nicholson, chair of Durham County Council said: “The competition is in its 19th year and brings together the energy and creativity of our young people and the experience and guidance of our business community.
“Our young people get to show off their entrepreneurial talents by coming up with business proposals that are then judged by an expert panel of business leaders.
“It’s an inspirational event and a great opportunity for all involved to make valuable connections.
“It all serves to lay a strong foundation for the future success of County Durham’s next generation of business leaders.”
In addition to the overall winners, the special category winners were as follows:
Brian Manning Award for Best Use of Networks
Winner: Wolsingham School
Business name: Hestia Food Testing
Product description: Testing device within food packaging to detect when food is no longer safe to consume
Best Prototype and Design and Best Business Plan
Winner: North Durham Academy
Business name: Hydro Flow
Product description: Small dynamo powered by water to generate electricity
Best Logo and Slogan
School name: Dene Academy
Business name: Loch Net Monster
Product description: Waste/pollution collector for use across streams or rivers to clean large rubbish, microplastics and oil from the water
Most Effective Team
School name: Durham High School
Business name: BioBlend
Product description: Aerobic decomposition bin with supporting app
Most Innovative Idea
School name: Bishop Barrington School
Business name: Vivagreen
Product description: Roadside ‘motor-bine’ to convert wind generated from passing vehicles into electricity
Most Investment Ready Business
School name: St John’s Catholic School
Business name: Naturwall
Product description: Insulating wallpaper
Best Presentation
School name: Belmont Community School
Business name: Smart Home Tools and Tech
Product description: Camera installed inside fridges to monitor shelf life of products
Most Resilient Team
School name: Woodham Academy
Business name: E P Water Safety
Product description: Innovative water vacuum to remove harmful pollutants from rivers and lakes
The County Durham Future Business Magnates event was supported by sponsors, mentors, and community partners including Co-op, Erwin Hymer, Robertson Homes, and Waterstons.
To find out more about getting involved in the County Durham Future Business Magnates, visit futurebusinessmagnates.co.uk.