Waikato Business News April/May 2021

Young entrepreneurs
turn out in numbers
Waikato’s budding entrepreneurs came
together at Wintec’s Atrium, for the
annual Lion Foundation Young Enterprise
Scheme’s Kickstart Tīmata event.
Speed coaches Don Scarlett
and Hollie Wilson of Mercury Energy
Entrepreneurs and Waikato business
leaders in a brainstorming session
A
record turnout of more
than 400 year 12 and 13
students took part in the
day, where they had the opportunity
to pick the brains of over
60 Waikato business leaders in
a speed coaching session.
Regional coordinator Penny
Bunting is thrilled with the
enthusiasm and support for
the experiential business programme,
in which the years
12 and 13 students start up and
run a real business.
The young entrepreneurs
will conduct market research,
plan, budget, and turn problems
into challenges in the
year-long competition.
“Supporting YES is really
important, as some of these
young people go on to become
the employers of the future,”
Bunting said.
“The business skills they
develop are complemented
by team work, communication,
negotiating and decision
making. It’s a great learning
experience.”
YES Companies enter
regional and national competitions,
culminating in the
National Awards where the
Lion Foundation Young Enterprise
Company of the Year is
announced. Regional awards
will be held in November.
Jamie Russell of Loop Carshare, Senga Allen
of Everest, and Linda Nelsen Caie of Smart Waikato
sharing key advice in an expert Q&A session.
Speed coaches Mark Donovan of Cabernet
Foods, Ra Piripi of the Southern Trust and
Linda Nelsen-Caie of Smart Waikato.
Penny Bunting, YES Regional Coordinator
with students from Sacred Heart Girls College
John Gallagher talking business with
students from St Peters School, Cambridge.
Speed Coaches Jason Nepia of Te Waka
and Nanise Ginnen of Impact Hub
James Rhynes of Lasertec Imaging
mentoring students from St Peters Cambridge
Dion and Donna Wright of Oak Financial, Gina Scott and Corren Ngerengere of
Waikato District Council and Mary Jensen of Smart Waikato preparing to speed coach
Young Entrepreneurs from Hamilton Girls High School