King's Heath Boys School triumphs in inaugural Enterprise Challenge
The team of five students from Year 9 of King's Heath Boys School, Birmingham - one of the latest schools to sign up with Mosaic - were the final victors in the Apax - Mosaic Enterprise Challenge.
Kings Heath Boys faced stiff competition from the four other finalist teams at the last stage of the Challenge held on Friday 17 July at the offices of international law firm Lovells in London. The boys were presented with their trophy by John O'Brien, Managing Director of Mosaic, and Kate Albert of Apax Partners, at a prestigious awards ceremony compered by former MTV presenter Kristianne Backer. Also speaking at the awards was Imran Hakim of Dragon's Den fame and Mosaic mentor at second-placed Smithills College, Bolton. Third place went to John Kelly Girl's Technology College, London.
John O'Brien, Managing Director of Mosaic, said
"Thanks to the generosity of Apax, the Challenge was a tremendous opportunity to encourage the spirit of enterprise and entrepreneurship amongst the students in schools that, too often, don't get such an opportunity."
Imran Hakim, of Dragon's Den fame and Mosaic mentor, said
"There is so much doom and gloom out there in the media, but having seen these young budding entrepreneurs in action today I am extremely reassured that the future of this country is in good hands. I have no doubt in my mind that if these talented youngsters live up to a fraction of the potential that they have demonstrated here today then we can look forward to a brighter future for this country."
Following their win, the boys from KHB were whisked off, Apprentice style, in top-end Mercedes cars, first to take in a flight on the London Eye and then for a speedboat ride through the City of London. As well as the glory, the schools of the top three teams will also receive a cash prize of up to £3000.
Over 80 teams participated in the inaugural Apax - Mosaic Enterprise Challenge. The Challenge is a unique national competition, which has been running in Mosaic schools across the country, including Bolton, Bradford, London and Birmingham. The national competition is based on the PIXELearning's leading enterprise game software, which puts the learner in a realistic business scenario where they develop and market a new product. Participating schools have benefited from mentoring sessions delivered by Mosaic's inspirational Business Mentors, which have aimed to bring the issues covered by the game to life with real world examples. Participating teams have played four competition heats throughout the course of June. These competition heats have tested teams on ability to generate Market Share, Cash Flow, Sales Revenue and Gross Profit
Mosaic's congratulations go to King's Heath Boy's School and all of the participating teams.