North Lanarkshire Pupils Impress in Dragon’s Lair Competition
A group of young, innovative minds in North Lanarkshire have taken the entrepreneurial world by storm in the recent Dragon’s Lair competition. Organised by North Lanarkshire Council, the competition aims to introduce S3 pupils to the realm of business and potential career opportunities they may not have previously considered.
The competition involves students developing business plans which are then evaluated by Business Gateway Advisors. The top six entries with the highest scores are chosen to pitch their ideas to a panel of industry expert ‘dragons’. This year’s champion, Project Chef, was created by Zac Murray from Cardinal Newman High School in Bellshill.
Zac’s winning concept involves an AI-powered robot with voice activation that can whip up meals using ingredients found in the user’s kitchen. The device also projects the recipe onto the kitchen walls and conserves energy by turning off only when instructed to do so, thus reducing food waste. In recognition of his innovation, Zac received a £100 Amazon voucher and a trophy for his school.
Councillor Alex McVey, who presided over the event, commended the young participants for their professionalism and inventive thinking. He praised the entrepreneurial spirit thriving in North Lanarkshire and acknowledged the support of local businesses like UKSE, BDD Pharma, Indeglas, and Livn Manufacturing, who sponsored the competition.
Among the panel of ‘dragons’ were Carol Thomson, CEO of BDD Pharma; Scott Webb, Regional Manager of UKSE; Jeanette McIntyre, MD of Indeglas; and Stephen Connachan, MD of Livn Manufacturing. As the principal sponsors, Scott Webb from UKSE expressed his admiration for the creativity and commercial viability of Zac’s business idea, highlighting the tough competition and high standards of all participants.
The Dragon’s Lair competition not only showcases the talent and creativity of young students but also provides them with valuable real-world experience in entrepreneurship. The event serves as a platform for nurturing future business leaders and fostering innovation within North Lanarkshire’s youth.
It is inspiring to see young minds embracing entrepreneurship and showcasing their innovative ideas in competitions like Dragon’s Lair. These initiatives not only encourage creativity but also instil valuable skills and knowledge that can shape the future of these students in the world of business. Congratulations to Zac Murray and all the participants for their outstanding contributions to the competition.