From idea to award: Petty Pool learners crowned Young Chamber enterprise champions

Competing as The Digital Slayers, our Year 2 Digital learners took first place in the Dragon’s Den-style competition, organised by the West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce, after pitching their business idea to a panel of judges at the competition final held at Churchill House, University of Chester.

Over twelve weeks, the learners worked alongside local business professionals through a series of employer-led workshops, developing their winning concept – Sensory Fidget Toys – designed to help reduce anxiety and support young people’s mental wellbeing.

Along the way, they carried out product research, developed financial forecasts, created a brand identity and refined their business plan before confidently presenting their final pitch to five business leaders.

The programme also gave learners the opportunity to visit Altimex, where Managing Director Davinder Singh provided a behind-the-scenes insight into how a successful manufacturing business operates. Experiences like these helped bring classroom learning to life and demonstrated how the skills learners develop at college translate into the workplace.

While winning the competition was a fantastic achievement, the greatest success was the journey itself.

Throughout the programme, learners built confidence, strengthened their communication, teamwork and problem-solving skills, developed resilience and tackled real business challenges. Working alongside employers and presenting their ideas to experienced business professionals gave them valuable insight into the world of work while helping them recognise what they’re capable of achieving.

The judges praised The Digital Slayers for their creativity, professionalism and collaboration, describing their proposal as a market-ready business concept with genuine commercial potential.

Their success doesn’t end with the competition. The team has been invited to receive its formal award at the West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce Annual Recognition Ball at Chester Racecourse in November. They’ll also showcase and sell their products at the Chamber’s Christmas Lunch Artisan Marketplace in December, creating another opportunity to develop their enterprise skills while sharing their business idea with the wider business community.

The project is a brilliant example of Petty Pool College’s employer-led approach to learning, giving young people with SEND meaningful opportunities to apply their skills in real business settings, build confidence and prepare for employment, independence and fulfilled futures.

Congratulations to The Digital Slayers and to the staff who supported them throughout the programme on this fantastic achievement.