Peter Jones announces Tycoon in Schools 2014 launch

Investor and Dragons’ Den star Peter Jones CBE today announced the official start of trading for nationwide youth enterprise competition Tycoon in Schools.

Now entering its third year, the Tycoon in Schools 2014 competition will see around a thousand “high-calibre” students take part in a competition to launch a business and make as much profit as possible over the seven-week trading period.

The competition’s organisers said this year’s business ideas included a personalised wellington boot company, an eco-friendly education resources company and a pooper-scooper for dog walkers. Entrants receive a loan provided by their school through the competition to kick-start their business.

In December, students pay back their loans and the remaining profits can be reinvested into their business, donated to their school or invested into charitable causes.

The overall winner will be announced in February 2015, at an awards ceremony held in London.

Peter Jones CBE said in a statement: “I am thrilled that Tycoon in Schools, now in its third year, is continuing to provide schoolchildren all over the country with their first taste of enterprise. Each year I am bowled over by the talent and confidence of participating students, and I look forward to seeing each of them continue to develop their entrepreneurial flair this year.

“Tycoon in Schools’ mission is to put enterprise at the very heart of every young person’s education and the enthusiasm of this year’s participants demonstrates that entrepreneurship is really beginning to be celebrated amongst our future workforce.

“I have been incredibly impressed by the business plans submitted by each team and I wish them all the very best of luck during their trading period between now and the end of December. I can’t wait to see all of the ideas in action!”