BUSINESS students have been presented with a coveted award at a county-wide competition.

The Seevic College students won the Judges Award at the Young Enterprise County Finals for Essex and were praised by a panel of expert judges from the world of business.

The seven BTEC Level 3 Business students formed a company called Catch & Co. and created a product called Guess or Dare, a risky card game that tests a player’s knowledge in 30 seconds.

They were one of just six teams out of 40 to make it to the County Finals. To up their game for the County Finals, Catch & Co. increased their local marketing through the use of a personalised Snapchat filter linking through to their website.

The company also improved their product with the offer of three extension packs, enabling users of different ages and interests to get involved.

Following months of preparation, teams had to showcase their product at Anglia Ruskin University. Teams also had an interview with the judges to examine their company report, and delivered a presentation to a large audience on their achievements and obstacles thus far.

Upon giving the award, David Bell from The Federation of Small Businesses, said: “Catch & Co. have broken the mould, and we feel they really stood out from the crowd today.”

Jake Buck, 18, Managing Director of Catch & Co. said: “We’ve really enjoyed the Young Enterprise process; it’s been a great experience and we have all learned so much. “The future’s bright for Catch & Co.; watch this space!”

The Young Enterprise Company Programme equips students in Further Education with the skills, attitudes and entrepreneurial experience needed to build successful careers, achieve real business success and foster enterprise skills for their future.

The programme is the largest leading Educational Charity, enabling young people to set up and run their own businesses, taking on roles from Human Resources and Sales to Marketing and Administration.

Angela Hyde, Young Enterprise Manager for Essex, said: “We have really seen the development of the students throughout all of the different stages. The experience that the students have had will no doubt add to their CV and boost their UCAS applications.”

Host Richard Mbonye, Chair of the Essex County Board, added: “Young Enterprise is a powerful programme in getting employability skills such as presentation skills, problem solving, using initiative and team building.

“Employers are always looking for people who stand out from the crowd, and this programme really helps students do this.”

Phillip Stone, Programme Coordinator for Business at the college, said: “I am really proud of how far all of our students have come this year.

“Catch & Co. have demonstrated hard work and entrepreneurial spirit throughout the whole process, winning more awards than any other company from Seevic before. I am excited to see what the future holds for them.

“The Young Enterprise programme helps to develop key employability skills alongside the students’ Level 3 qualification, and it has been a pleasure to watch as students realise their potential and apply theory to real world situations.”