Business Students Enter The Dragons Den
Derby College Group (DCG) recently hosted a Dragon’s Den style event for around 150 Business students to present their plans for a new product.
Marresa director Nikki Johnson was part of a five-strong panel of judges alongside Sarah Smith, Bettina Crofts and Marcus Gayle from the College and Merv Sheldon who runs Bridesfayre.
They heard presentations from 31 groups of students who had spent four weeks working with guest speakers, including Nikki Johnson, developing ideas for a product aimed at children and young people.
The ideas pitched included ‘Create and Skate’ - an environmentally friendly skateboard kit which customers would be able to design, paint and customize; ‘Lil Einstein’ – an educational app aimed at three to ten-year-olds; and a braille alphabet activity game aimed at children with visual impairments; a car play mat and sensory activity packs for children with special educational needs.
Derby College Business team manager Lorna Edwards said: “This has been an amazing opportunity for students to develop their entrepreneurial, teamwork and employability skills- bringing together all the different elements that they have studied into a real-life situation.
“Over the year, the students have shown a great deal of resilience and this has been a fantastic way to end the academic year. All Business students embraced this challenge with enthusiasm, worked exceptionally hard, acted on feedback, had a lot of fun and executed their pitch. The Business staff are so proud of all our students”
“We hope that at least one of their ideas will come to fruition and be launched as a product by Marresa who have been a huge inspiration to the students throughout this process.”
Nikki Johnson, director of Derby-based toy and gift manufacturer and wholesaler Marresa continued: “It was great to see so many different, well-thought-out ideas, backed up by strong presentations covering many business areas.
“Current topics such as mental health and environmental awareness were well explored and integrated into both traditional and ‘out of the box’ concepts. No two presentations were the same and everyone involved should be proud of what they have delivered.”
And DCG work experience officer Bettina Crofts, who organised the event, concluded: “Everyone was totally blown away by the quality, content and professionalism and not to mention the inspiring ideas. Every single student who took part in this project showed great commitment and dedication, they all should be proud of their achievements.”
More News From Amber Valley Info
| Confirmed case of Bird Flu - Shipley Country Park A case of Avian Influenza (bird flu) has been confirmed at Shipley Country Park. The affected bird, a Cananda Goose, was found on M read more | |
| CCTV pictures of two men released following shop theft in Belper Derbyshire police have released CCTV images of two men they would like to speak to in connection with a shoplifting read more | |
| Derbyshire Wayfarer Ranger Goes Digital Derbyshire Wayfarer Ranger tickets can now be purchased through an app, making them more convenient for bus and train users. read more | |
| Young Person Travel Discount Scheme Extended For Another Three Months Derbyshire County Council's b_line 3 card, which offers discounts for those aged from 19 up to their 22nd birth read more | |
| Care Home Sale Update Plans are being revised for the future of eight Derbyshire care homes after a planned sale fell through. read more | |
The Amber Valley Info Noticeboard
| Christmas and New Year bin collection dates Over the festive season, bin collections will operate on revised schedules. Some collections may take place up to two days earlier than u read more | |
| Launch Of WOMBLE MANIA! At the Heights of Abraham, Opened by Marcus Robertson, Son of Wombles author, Elisabeth Beresford, officially launched WOMBLE MANIA! at the Heights of Abraha read more | |
| Belper School and Sixth Form Centre Closed Today Due to a significant water leak, resulting in the water being turned off at school, we unfortunately have to close the school today. read more | |
| When you need to call 999 but can't talk When you need to call 999 but can't talk - the ‘silent solution’ can help. Press 55 on your mobile when prompted, to confirm you are in read more | |
| The opening night of the Lights of Abraham Winter Lights Trail The brand new winter lights trail, the 'Lights of Abraham' opened on Friday 22nd November at the Heights of Abraham in read more | |
