Eco bins and fridge cameras among young entrepreneurs' ingenious creations

King James I Academy pupils celebrate victory in the Future Business Magnates 2024 competition.

The annual County Durham Future Business Magnates competition saw Year 8 pupils from local schools apply creativity and problem-solving to a range of challenges.

Organised by Business Durham, our business support service, this year's theme was 'What a Wonderful World - Can you Make it Better?'.

And the overall winners were...

After an exciting finale at Hardwick Hall, pupils from King James I Academy took first place overall with their 'Smart Weigh' business.

Their ingenious concept is based on an eco-friendly bin that can weigh food waste, with users then earning points according to how much of the waste is recycled or composted.

Runners-up, Belmont Community School, came up with 'TechC', a camera installed inside people's fridges to monitor the shelf life of products.

Framwellgate School's team bagged third place for their educational 'ShoreSavers' package, designed to teach primary school children about protecting the earth's oceans.

'County Durham's next generation of business leaders'

Cllr Joan Nicholson, our Chair, said: "The competition is in its 19^th year and brings together the energy and creativity of our young people and the experience and guidance of our business community.

"Our young people get to show off their entrepreneurial talents by coming up with business proposals that are then judged by an expert panel of business leaders. It's an inspirational event and a great opportunity for all involved to make valuable connections.

"It all serves to lay a strong foundation for the future success of County Durham's next generation of business leaders."

Special category winners

In addition to the overall winners, the special category winners were as follows:

Brian Manning Award for Best Use of Networks

Winner: Wolsingham School

Business name: Hestia Food Testing

Product description: Testing device within food packaging to detect when food is no longer safe to consume

Best Prototype and Design and Best Business Plan

Winner: North Durham Academy

Business name: Hydro Flow

Product description: Small dynamo powered by water to generate electricity

Best Logo and Slogan

School name: Dene Academy

Business name: Loch Net Monster

Product description: Waste/pollution collector for use across streams or rivers to clean large rubbish, microplastics and oil from the water

Most Effective Team

School name: Durham High School

Business name: BioBlend

Product description: Aerobic decomposition bin with supporting app

Most Innovative Idea

School name: Bishop Barrington School

Business name: Vivagreen

Product description: Roadside 'motor-bine' to convert wind generated from passing vehicles into electricity

Most Investment Ready Business

School name: St John's Catholic School

Business name: Naturwall

Product description: Insulating wallpaper

Best Presentation

School name: Belmont Community School

Business name: Smart Home Tools and Tech

Product description: Camera installed inside fridges to monitor shelf life of products

Most Resilient Team

School name: Woodham Academy

Business name: E P Water Safety

Product description: Innovative water vacuum to remove harmful pollutants from rivers and lakes

The County Durham Future Business Magnates event was supported by sponsors, mentors, and community partners including Co-op, Erwin Hymer, Robertson Homes, and Waterstons.

Get involved next time

To find out more about getting involved in the County Durham Future Business Magnates, visit the Future Business Magnates website.