Southern high school business students from Southland Girls’ High School, Aparima College, James Hargest College, Southland Boys’ High School and Mount Aspiring College will pitch their business ideas this month as part of The Lion Foundation Young Enterprise Scheme (YES). 

Southern Institute of Technology will host The Pitch event at the SIT Invercargill campus on Wednesday 24th June, and on Friday 19th June in Central Otago. 

YES businesses will pitch their business to a panel of Judges who will have up to $1500 to invest in these new businesses. 

The judging panel includes Chami Abeysinghe from Southern Institute of Technology, Louise Evans from Coin South, Tanya Hope from Findex, Mike Sanford from Whats On Invers, Dave Anderson from Westpac, and Sheree Carey from Southland Chamber of Commerce. 

Last year’s regional champions were business ‘Head First’ from James Hargest College with their wellness box containing thoughtful items to help with people with their mental health.

Southland Chamber of Commerce Regional Coordinator Joanne O’Çonnor said this year was the ultimate learning opportunity for YES students as they started a new business while navigating the challenges of COVID-19. 

“Resilience, and how to use digital technologies to help support (or drive) business will be key to the students success this year.” 

SIT Chief Executive, Penny Simmonds said SIT was happy to extend ‘Zero Fees’ to most participants of the programme again this year, helping with registration fees through SIT’s sponsorship. 

“It is important for us (SIT) to be able to encourage innovation and business enterprise within the region, now more so than ever before. We are dealing with a global economic shift that has changed the way we work, study and carry out business. It will be interesting to see how the YES businesses will rise to the new challenges we are facing today,” she said.

“YES is a great opportunity for secondary school students to learn about the mechanics of business, and we can’t wait to see the outcomes of the pitches and the business ideas they will put forward.”