A Sydenham High and Dulwich College Young Enterprise team has scooped the Retail Excellence Award at two schools’ first ever all London final.
Team Seedling produced a range of gift cards embedded with seed paper which, once planted, blossom into wildflowers as a longer lasting gift.
Sydenham High Y12 students Nerea Asua Lowe and Ella Bright along with Luke Henderson, Dmitry Rusanov and Marco Verdino from Dulwich College, pitched their product idea, strategy and results to a team of judges in front of an invited audience at Citigroup, Canary Wharf last night. Meanwhile the sixth member of the team, Juliette Clark, masterminded an eye-catching trade stand.
After a tense competition, the team came away with the Award for Retail Excellence thanks to their innovative product, fantastic design and professional marketing approach. They had already been named Best Company at the Central London finals of the competition.
Quoted in the South London Press, Sydenham High team member Nerea said she came up with the idea after a friend gave her a packet of seeds for her birthday. “I did some research and found that about one billion Christmas cards were thrown way or burned last year which is not great for the environment. I decided that it would be better if they could be put to some use afterwards.”
Seedling were narrowly beaten to a place in the UK grand finals. However, the young entrepreneurs, who have seen their skills truly blossom through the competition process, have already agreed that they are going to continue to run their flourishing business after the programme ends.
“We’ve had lots of support and are confident that our business can work,” added Nerea. “As it gets more successful we will add different seeds and designs.”
Sydenham High’s Head of Sixth Form Jacqui Henderson said: “The six members of Seedling really deserve high praise for their achievements. It’s been wonderful to see the team coming together and truly developing their skills and confidence – something that will stand them in excellent stead at university and in the world of work.”
You can follow Seedling on Twitter @Seedling_YE
