Empowering young innovators: Our role in at LEAP programme 2024 in Jersey
This July, we are absolutely delighted to support the JCG Foundation Leadership and Entrepreneurship Accelerator Programme (LEAP) in Jersey.
The LEAP programme is a global initiative that empowers young women aged 14 to 18 to develop essential business, entrepreneurial, and leadership skills. We are very proud to be involved, sponsoring five students who took part, as well as providing mentoring support to all 18 teams in Jersey.
A truly international event, in total 88 students took part, including 49 international students, from countries including the USA, Canada, Antigua, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Columbia, France, India, Thailand, Nepal, Afghanistan, Taiwan, China, Korea, Japan, Australia, England, Scotland, Jersey and Guernsey. The industry support for the event saw over 50 companies come together, with over 100 speakers, mentors, trainers, and ‘Dragons,’ helping to facilitate the programme.
A two-week long, intensive initiative, the students who took part were split into teams in which they had to work together to formulate their innovative ideas into compelling business pitches. These projects targeted key global issues, fostering creativity and problem-solving. Business experts, including CEOs, managing directors, and entrepreneurs, act as coaches and mentors, providing real-world insights, and helping participants refine their ideas and strategies.
The next step was a networking event where students had the chance to meet industry leaders and further hone their pitches before the programme culminates in a thrilling Dragon's Den-style final pitch. Students present their social enterprise projects to a panel of investors, vying for a share of the £6000 project funding.
This year, the mentoring sessions took place on Monday 15 July, with the networking event on 17 July and the final pitch presentations on Friday 19 July.
Business Development Executive, Stephen Rafferty, took part as a mentor, particularly helping the groups understand the importance of business management, cash flow and building a revenue stream in order to create a sustainable business.
"It has been very rewarding to take part in such a wonderful initiative, and in particular sponsoring Freya, Melanie, Ma-Ya, and Clara from Le Quennevais School and Enca from Hautlieu School in Jersey. All the students have worked incredibly hard and it has been truly inspiring to see so many young people come up with creative ideas to target critical global issues. In my small way, I was able to offer all 18 teams advice on how to take their innovative solutions and marry them with a business plan in order to create a solid pitch for the 'Dragons.' We all know that understanding your numbers is vital as you are sure to get grilled on them in a business pitch! However, the programme is not just about the business pitches. The skills the students learn when collaborating as a team,and meeting with industry experts is also invaluable.
I am very proud to say that over 80% of local students and 17 international students attended for free, with flights supported by the network of sponsors. It is very rewarding to be part of a global network that can truly make a difference to the future of so many young people."
We can’t wait to see the results of the final pitches!