Finding a solution to a problem is not always easy, in fact it takes an innovative creative thinker who focuses on the solution and doesn’t give up until they come up with the answer.

Huge congratulations to four of our up and coming entrepreneurs who found a solution to a real life business problem, pitched their business ideas to a panel of judges, made it to the 2^nd round and will now be in the running for 'Young Entrepreneur of the Year!'

Teliah Wood, Luke O’Neill, Joshua Santos and Isabella Kerlin all impressed the judges last Thursday night as they pitched their business ideas and are now 4 out of the 6 finalists who will pitch their ideas at the Young Eyes Festival of Innovation event in October.

Let's back track a little bit.

In Term 2 and Term 3 several of our Senior Students (Yr 9-11) were offered an opportunity to participate in Cedars first ‘Innovation Through Young Eyes' – Zig Zag Hub Entrepreneurial Program during after school hours during Term 2 and 3 where they would find solutions to real life business problems.

During these four week programs facilitated by Ms Rudd, an entrepreneur from the Zig Zag Hub, students learned how to be entrepreneurs and experience the design thinking process firsthand. Brainstorming solutions to real problems they each created their own start-ups.

The program provided students with exposure to entrepreneurial thinking and the process of

Identifying a problem and finding a solution
Validating the solution
Prototyping
Validating a product

Our Careers Advisor, Mr Chris Laird who organised the opportunity for our students has been thrilled with the response from his students and loved watching them think innovatively and solve problems to real life business problems. The spots to be part of the program were snapped up quickly by students, creating the need for the second Zig Zag Program.

The Zig Zag Hub Program has helped us to find creative solutions to modern-day problems through a variety of entrepreneurial activities and simulations of real business issues. We refined our ideas and products through the processes of market research, prototyping and pitching, which gave us beneficial insights and skills that we can employ when we enter the job market, or even use to start the businesses that we have designed in the program.
Max McIver Yr 11

Making it to the Second Round

“You have made it to the second round!” – Zig Zag presenters. Four of the shortlisted innovative students from the program mentioned above were able to pitch their ideas, alongside students from other local schools. A panel of judges asked questions, gave feedback and then deliberated to select 6 students who would be given another chance to pitch their ideas at the Young Eyes Festival of Innovation on Saturday 8 October. At this next event they will they will pitch to the crowd and will be in the running to be the 'Young Entrepreneur of the Year'!

Young Eyes Festival of Innovation

Students who participate in our program have the opportunity to take part in the Young Eyes Festival of Innovation being held at The Town Hall on 8 October.

The highlight of the event will be the pitch fest on Saturday where finalists from each school will pitch to a panel of successful business owners. The best pitch will become the Young Entrepreneur of the Year and win a major prize.

About Zig Zag Hub

“At Zig Zag Hub we believe the skills of entrepreneurship will set young people up for life. In this ever changing world, entrepreneurial skills like critical thinking, problem solving, digital literacy and communication are proven to help young people succeed. At Zig Zag Hub we’ll help you think like an entrepreneur!”