STUDENTS from two colleges in Huddersfield took part in a Dragons’ Den competition.
Twenty sixth-formers from Greenhead College and Huddersfield New College were involved in the two-day contest staged by the Marsden and Slaithwaite Renaissance Group and Huddersfield University’s Business School.
The students, who are taking A-levels and BTEC qualifications in subjects such as art, design, business, science and geography, had to think up an ethical business idea which would be a winner with customers in the Colne Valley.
They also met local business people, including Bill Butcher, of the Green Building Company, based at Bolster Moor, and Graham Mitchell, of the Green Valley Grocer co-operative in Slaithwaite.
The students had to work-up their own business ideas and design marketing materials before “pitching” their ideas to a four-strong panel of “dragons”.
They also enjoyed a lunch provided by the owner of Slaithwaite-based Vanilla Bean. The best pitch won prizes donated by the business school.
The Renaissance group was set up as part of the Renaissance Market Towns initiative, supporting sustainable small towns. Its work includes looking at how “green” initiatives can flourish in the Colne Valley.
