Grade 10 Introduction to Business
Dragons’ Den Business Venture Project
If the pandemic has taught us anything it is the importance of businesses and entrepreneurs in our communities. This quadmester, students in Introduction to Business (BB120) had a chance to experience what it is like to embark on a new business venture. Working in groups of three, students brainstormed about businesses they would like to start, explored the viability of their business ideas, discovered barriers to entry, problem solved and eventually pitched their idea to a panel of business experts.
We were pleased to have the expertise of two amazing industry trailblazers. Albert Ho is a speaker, consultant, and author of Checkmate: How to Win the Sales Game in Healthcare. He currently serves as a Project Manager at William Osler Health System. Rhiannon Rosalind is CEO of the Economic Club of Canada, an organization which under her leadership has put on numerous events with business insiders such as Amanda Lang and Jeremy Rudin and high profile individuals such as Michelle Obama and Barack Obama.
Modeled after the CBC’s Dragons’ Den, our current virtual learning status did not limit the creativity for this project. Students created websites, mocked up pictures of their proposed products and made their presentations to an online audience. Some of the ideas included: Dronedash - food delivered by drones; Reflecto Fit fitness mirror: Freeze-B-Gone - a product that eliminates the need to clear snow, Ergo-gel - ergonomic chairs; Backpack X - ergonomic backpacks; The Shampoo Dispensary- refillable personal care items; Tucked-N - a smart bed; The Zone – wireless charging speaker; SmartDoor – security system; The Bread Box Café -allergen free baked goods.
In addition to the creativity displayed by these students, the panelists were struck by how each of the proposed businesses took ethical and environmental concerns into consideration. Students were very keen on creating businesses that were better for the environment and better for the world, some of the key features covered in our lessons and course readings.
Top scores were awarded as follows:
Best Presentation: Ergo-Gel (ergonmic chair), Abigail, Lily, Amanda, The Shampoo Dispensary (refillable personal care products), Tessa D., Joanna, Jenna
Most Creative/Innovative Idea: Dronedash (customized autonomous food delivery drones), Matteo G., Tristan, Nate, Tucked-N Smart Bed, Gabriel, Vincent, Jurgen
Most Marketable Idea: Dronedash (drone food delivery service) Matteo G, Tristan, Nate, The Shampoo Dispensary (refillable personal care products), Tessa D., Jonna, Jenna, Tucked-N Smart Bed, Gabriel, Vincent, Jurgeon
The main purpose of this preparatory business course is to introduce students to basic concepts and encourage them to take more specialized courses in marketing, accounting, business leadership, international business and finance in higher grades. Based on what they demonstrated during this activity, there are definitely future entrepreneurs among this group.