ENTREPRENEURS OF the future had an opportunity to pitch their business ideas to a panel of judges at a Junior Dragon’s Den yesterday.
Pupils of fifth class in St Brigid’s Convent National School in The Coombe, Dublin were invited to the event, organised by the charity Junior Achievement Ireland and hosted by commercial bank Brown Brothers Harriman (BBH).
Among the somewhat ambitious ideas presented was a music shop entitled “Boom Boom Clap”, which proposed to provide two weeks of free music lessons by a famous musician to anyone who purchased an instrument priced at €150 or over.
“So if you buy a piano you get free music lessons from Elton John,” said the hopeful Boom Boom Clap team.
The class was divided into four groups, with each having to develop a unique business idea, with volunteers from the bank acting as mentors for each cohort. The employees were then joined by managing director of the Dublin branch of BBH, Séan Páircéir, to take on the role of the “dragons” as each group pitched their ideas to the judges.
Other ideas included a low-priced jewellery shop and a travel agent which aims to attract customers by giving away free holidays. The “dragons” gave the students a sympathetic hearing, presenting each pupil with a certificate of achievement as a reward for their efforts.
Junior Achievement Ireland is a charity that aims to bring the skills of enterprise to the classroom through events such as Junior Dragon’s Den.
More than 500 primary and secondary schools across the country participate annually in workplace workshops organised by the organisation with the help of around 3,000 volunteers working in the business world.
Commenting on how the initiative educates the children, fifth class teacher in St Brigid’s Éilish Collins said: ‘‘It makes them more aware of advertising, marketing and how products are set up.
‘‘Overall it just gives them a general business sense.’’