THE 2024 Huish Dragons Den competition, co-hosted by Huish and Taunton Chamber of Commerce, gave eighteen A-Level Business student teams the chance to showcase their innovative business concepts.

The participants focused on carving out unique selling points, identifying suitable markets, thorough market research, competitive analysis, comprehensive marketing campaigns and detailed cost management.

Students made a compelling impression on the Dragons panel with their high-calibre pitches.

Mike Gillett initiated this event, using his first-hand experience of entering the den to provide students with tailored tips for presenting influential pitches.

The panel of Dragons, made up of business representatives and industry experts, offered instrumental advice to teams, challenged their ideas with insightful questions and gave productive feedback.

The Taunton Chamber of Commerce panel consisted of former Huish College students and industry experts from various sectors like retail, property & construction, health & wellbeing, business development, hospitality, climate change & sustainability and digital marketing.

The winning team, Fresh Fuel, convinced the Dragons with their unique proposal to provide healthier food alternatives at service stations, specifically aimed at lorry drivers.

Their expansion strategy through franchising, precise costings and vibrant presentation ensured their triumph.

Similarly, team The Rangers proposed an app to assist busy parents by recommending recipes based on existing fridge contents, intending to reduce food waste and cooking stress.

Tinie team proposed ‘Head Screwed On’ app specifically for female car owners offering aid and recommendations for car repairs.

Moreover, EOS suggested a range of portable solar panels catering to festival attendees, hikers, and camping enthusiasts.

Other notable entries included Nectar's foot deodorant and O2O's recycled surf boards made from sea rubbish and plastic waste.

Bethan Turner, the Membership and Events Manager, received special recognition for her successful co-ordination of the Dragons panel of industry and business representatives.

The students credited with the winning ideas included

Fresh Fuel Team: Toby Ware, Toby Hallett, Mo Diab, Nathan Davis, and Kieran Hill.

The Rangers: Olivia Lake, Daisy Young, Shelley Santos, Isla Catto, and Mikaella Harnett.

Tinie: Tabbie Monk, Eliza Stephenson, Imy Donovan, Nix Adamson, and Imogen Hammel.

EOS: Harry Doble, Teddy Hobbs, Alex McCreery, Alex Stenhouse, Dylan Meredith, and Lexi Murphy.

Huish staff members, including Jo Mellor, Ann-Marie Kitchener, John Palmer, Claire Bennett, Stewart Bettinson, Donna Pester, Mike Gillett and Tara Flanagan, extended their support and aided in the successful execution of the event.

The Huish Dragons Den 2024 competition proved more than a contest.

It offered these young entrepreneurs a platform to exhibit their skills and glean insightful advice from seasoned professionals.

The key agenda of the day was to stimulate innovation and entrepreneurial spirit in the students by equipping them with essential business skills.