Peter Jones fires up young dragons of the future

Fiona congratulates local Tenner Tycoon

Tenner Tycoon, the UK's nationwide enterprise competition for schools, celebrated the outstanding enterprise of this year's young winners at an awards ceremony in London.
 
Tenner Tycoon, is a nationwide scheme run by Enterprise UK to find Britain's youngest entrepreneurs. The scheme, which ran throughout March, loaned schoolchildren £10 to start their own business. The challenge was to make money, make a difference, but also give back to their communities.
 
This year, the competition helped to raise over £25,000 in ‘profits' that were donated to a range of charities including the RSPCA, Barnardo's and Cancer Research. From each of the 57 shortlisted entries, there was an average profit of £87.
 
This year's winners ranged from 6 to 19 years old and included Sunaina Priya Kumar of Baylis Court School, Slough, as the best outstanding individual.  She created Priya's Cardz:
Priya designed and made handmade greetings cards for all occasions. She sold enough cards to raise £300 for the local hospice and Barnardo's, and continues to run her business.
 
Fiona said: "Priya has made a wonderful product and shown how you can use your talents to make beautiful objects and make money for a good cause at the same time, I have already bought a handful of her cards."

Peter Jones CBE, who spearheads Tenner Tycoon, said:  
 
"I want to thank all participants for their hard work and commitment during Tenner Tycoon. There have been so many inspiring stories and brilliant business ideas, which make this competition what it is: a showcase of the talent and ingenuity of young people in the UK."
 
Mark Prisk MP, Minister for Business and Enterprise, said:
 
"Tenner Tycoon gives me great optimism for the future generation of entrepreneurs in this country. It is vital that we give children insight into enterprise at an early age, showing them how rewarding it can be to convert your own ideas into a business. The Government wants to transform the ambition and aspiration of young people through this type of real business experience.
 
"This year's participants have highlighted the great culture of enterprise we have in this country and I am delighted to celebrate with the winners."
 
This year's Tenner Tycoon campaign was the largest and most successful yet with:
·       365 schools participating
·       28,000 children involved in projects
·       £231,320 in ten pound notes distributed
 
This year, students were encouraged to donate their profits to charity, and prizes are awarded to those who fundraised the most and made the biggest impact in their community as well as generated the most profit.