When it comes to innovative ideas, there are two groups of award-winning Hauraki Plains College students who have it down to a fine art.
BioPot and SolAware are two products created by year-13 Business Studies student extraordinaires as part of the Lion Foundation Young Enterprise Scheme (YES).
YES is an experiential programme that involves students setting up and developing the knowledge to run a real business.
On October 22, the two groups of business gurus stole the show at the YES Waikato Regional Finals by snapping up several accolades, including the top honour – Wintec’s Waikato Business of the Year Award for BioPot, and also the Best in Agricultural Sustainability Award.
SolAware also clinched the win for the Excellence in Financial Management Award.
For the creators of BioPot, Omar Arsilan, Diezel Sefton, Max Goodhand and Rehan Gampala knew “we were on to something”.
The win “means a lot” to the team, which reassured Omar that the hard work and dedication paid off, he said.
BioPot is a biodegradable planting pot made from 100 per cent recycled wool, group chief executive Omar told The Profile.
“We make them into propagation kits which include seeds, lanolin [and] sheep pellet fertilizer packed into a biodegradable cardboard box.”
People plant the seeds, and as the seeds grow, they put the pot straight into the garden and it breaks down, he said.
“We were absolutely stoked as a lot of hard work and hours had gone into the business.
“We had a vision and as the CEO I was going to make sure that we reached our full potential. At times it was hard to get everyone on the same page but in the end we succeeded.”
It was clear BioPot was a “superior innovation” which has earned them a spot to represent Waikato at the National YES Finals in Wellington in December.
Business Studies teacher John Tate said he was very happy and proud of the students, but “not surprised” because he knew that BioPot had “a great story to tell”.
Meanwhile, SolAware creators Stevie Selby, Jenna Temple, Lily Maisey, Zara Culley, Zoe Morgan and Skylah Whitmore were all very proud to receive the Excellence in Financial Management Award, and “especially” proud of financial manager Lily, who kept the finances “under control”.
SolAware is a bracelet that can detect ultraviolet (UV) rays and change colour based on the intensity.
If there are really high UV rays, the bracelet is dark purple, and if low intensity then it’s light pink.
“We were selected because we displayed responsible budgeting based on our profits.”
The inspiration to create SolAware came from an experience some of the group members had. “Jenna and I were at swimming sports and Jenna got very sunburnt despite it being a cloudy day, so we thought we needed more reminders to use sun protection even on cloudy days,” Stevie said.
SolAware was “aimed towards everyone”, especially younger children and people who enjoyed the outdoors, Stevie said.
She encouraged other students to follow their business ideas.
“Taking Business [Studies] is a great opportunity to learn different pathways,” she said.
“If you have an idea, believe in it and make it work.”
Mr Tate said all the team members did their best and they displayed great team work throughout the year.
“The Young Enterprise programme has increased their self confidence enormously,” he said.
DETAILS: For more information on BioPot or SolAware, follow them on Instagram: @biopotnz and @solaware.nz.
By DAVIDDA HIKATANGATA
