A group of Lincoln school students had the chance to pitch their business ideas to a Dragons’ Den panel at an event organised by the Careers Hub at the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership.

Sixth-form students from St Peter and St Paul Catholic Voluntary Academy pitched an e-commerce platform called Carry Global and a fitness clothing brand called Chase Clothing. 

They had previously spent six months working on their ideas with help from the Careers Hub. 

More than 20 ‘dragons’ from Lincolnshire businesses and organisations took part in the showcase, including the Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce, Lincoln City Football Club, Branston, eComOne, the University of Lincoln, the Greater Lincolnshire LEP and Bishop Grosseteste University. 

“Enterprise Adviser Damian Froggatt has been mentoring sixth-form students at St Peter and St Paul since September to help them come up with two new business ideas,” said Alex Nightingale, Enterprise Coordinator at the Careers Hub. 

“To have over 20 ‘dragons’ from a variety of local organisations was fantastic. The students excelled and represented themselves really well.”  

The event was designed to develop skills that are needed in the world of work, such as developing ideas, project planning, understanding different job roles, presenting, finance, and sales and marketing.  

It was organised by the students themselves, and they also took part in networking before and after the showcase.   

Caroline Hewardine, Headteacher at St Peter and St Paul Catholic Voluntary Academy, said: “I would like thank the Careers Hub for providing such a wonderful opportunity for our sixth formers. It was so lovely to see them presenting to a wide range of different people, all of whom were willing them on. 

“In these situations it’s easy to forget that the students are only 16 or 17 and have had little to no experience of speaking in public. The way the provision and support has developed is brilliant. The development of the project, from last year to this, was seen in the polished performances and the commitment by all of those taking part. 

“It’s important that students hear other voices and not just teachers.  Building these skills is vital for their life moving forward.”