Two Year 10 students at Matthew Flinders Anglican College have been selected to develop their bright business ideas as part of the 2024 Generation Innovation Challenge.
Quinn K and Isla M successfully submitted their entrepreneurial ideas to the GI Challenge, which is an independently run entrepreneurship program for 15-21 year olds from the Sunshine Coast.
Students at Flinders explore design thinking and problem-based learning as part of the curriculum and across subject disciplines to equip them with the skills and confidence to be the innovators and entrepreneurs of the future. The College's new masterplanned Infinity Centre supports this approach to learning through enterprise and innovation.
For the 2024 Generation Innovation Challenge, Isla’s idea is to design a bicycle that generates and stores reliable renewable energy. Meanwhile, Quinn is designing a fidget pen, combining an everyday item with fidgets to boost concentration and productivity.
The GI Challenge empowers young entrepreneurs to translate an idea into a viable business through mentoring, skills development and business connections in a collaborative and inspiring environment.
The pair were selected to attend the Originate Day and two Bootcamps to develop and refine their idea with the support of mentors and business leaders.
Quinn and Isla are finalising their concept and working with their GI mentors to prepare their presentation and pitch for shortlisting, with only three finalists to progress to the final Pitch Night on Wednesday, 2 October.
Isla’s mentor is Tim Kelly, an aeronautical engineer and the director of the Manufacturing Excellence Forum, while Quinn is receiving mentorship from Luke Hawley, a small business network and connection coach.
Quinn said, “I’m so excited to be part of this innovation challenge! Working with such smart and talented people is amazing. Together, we’re not just dreaming about the future—we’re actually making it happen!”
Flinders Secondary Teacher Kate Pearce, who teaches Design and Technologies subjects in the College’s new Infinity Centre, has been supporting the students through the Challenge process.
“I've been meeting with Isla and Quinn, and their passion, enthusiasm and degree of confidence continues to build,” Mrs Pearce said.
“Their Generation Innovation mentors have extended their design thinking skills and expanded their global views. Isla has shifted her idea from a small local solution to a global social wellbeing solution; supporting the needs of others.
“The Challenge gives them an opportunity to connect with the marketplace in a unique way and explore what it takes to refine an idea, meet customers’ needs and launch a business.”
About the Generation Innovation Challenge
Run annually since 2015, the GI Challenge gives young people a unique opportunity to develop their own business while building confidence, resilience and self-belief.
The impact that Generation Innovation has had over the past nine years is the result of an entire community’s response – from the schools who promote it and the parents who encourage their children to participate, to the countless individuals and businesses who so willingly share their time, experience, connections and funds.
The program’s achievements include supporting 150 young entrepreneurs, exploring 79 ventures and launching 20 ventures while building a community of young entrepreneurs and their supporters.
(Image supplied by Generation Innovation)
(Image supplied by Generation Innovation)
