Isle of Wight and Regional Final winners, Spin-itch, from Christ The King College, recently competed in the National Final of the Young Enterprise Company Programme 2025.
Whilst not walking away with the top award at the nationals, the team from Spin-itch have thoroughly enjoyed making progress in the competition and how that has developed their business skills, communication skills and self-confidence.
Hari Blair, CEO of Spin-itch, has summed it up by saying:
“As a team we have learned to collaborate effectively, respect differing ideas and views within the team, reach a consensus, and build a product that has real value.”
Andrew Montrose, headteacher at Christ The King College, has seen the team develop and grow:
“The whole of our school community is extremely proud of how our students have applied themselves and developed through this process. To have taken the fidget tool product to the level that they have is a remarkable achievement.”
Supporting the team through the competition have been several local businesses, who have acted as business advisors, Dragons Den investors and sponsors.
Guy Wells from AJ Wells has been the team’s business advisor and comments:
“It has been exciting working with the team as they researched the product design and customer experience, to create a product that would really make a difference to people.”
The programme is organised on the Isle of Wight by Ed-WISE – an education charity connecting education and business and improves life chances for young people. Hose Rhodes Dickson have supported Spin-itch around travel costs.
David Thornton, CEO of Ed-WISE, comments:
“We have seen many strong business ideas from school teams across the Island. We are grateful for the many Island businesses that are involved in this programme delivery, with each team having a business advisor.
“The students have really benefited from the business advisors experience with decision making, developing productsd, and generating sales. Melanie Lewis of Ed-WISE coached and mentored all teams through the course of the competition this academic year, supporting them with their presentations and preparing them for competition days.
“Schools have commented on the effectiveness of Melanie’s support for their students, helping them to develop and grow.”
Spin-itch plan to continue their business outside of the Young Enterprise Company Programme and support people who find their fidget tool to be of great help in their daily lives.
