News

Congratulations to the Otago Regional Final’s Winner Natures Prime (St Hilda’s) and runner up Rhythm (OGHS)!

Business South celebrated the next generation of Otago entrepreneurs today at the Young Enterprise Scheme (YES) Regional Finals, held at the University of Otago’s Business School.

The event marks the culmination of months of dedication and creativity from secondary school students across the region. This year’s programme involved 338 students from 14 schools throughout Otago, guided by their teachers, mentors, and the Business South YES team.

Business South has been proud to lead and deliver the YES programme for Otago, providing hands-on business education that encourages students to turn their ideas into real enterprises.
This year, the region was delighted to welcome Mount Aspiring College and Liger Academy to the programme for the first time, alongside returning schools from Cromwell, Alexandra, and Dunedin.

Eight outstanding teams competed at the Regional Finals on Thursday 16 October, representing the very best of Otago’s innovation and teamwork:

• Rhythm – Otago Girls’ High School
• Natures Prime – St Hilda’s Collegiate School
• Good Grains – Liger Academy
• DonateMate – St Hilda’s Collegiate School
• Sunscent – Otago Girls’ High School
• Clean Bean Collective – Queen’s High School
• Bug Free Bliss – Mount Aspiring College
• Kitchen Canvas – Mount Aspiring College

Regional Winner: Natures Prime
Runner Up: Rhythm

Otago Students Recognised Nationally

In addition to the regional awards, two Otago teams received National Excellence Awards and will join the Regional Winner in Wellington for the YES National Finals later this year:

• National Excellence Award Winner – Donate Mate (St Hilda’s)
• National Excellence Award Winner – Natures Prime (St Hilda’s)

*The specific award will be announced at YES Nationals in Wellington this December.

Special recognition also goes to:

• 2nd Place: Tipu Tonu (Otago Girls’ High School)
• 3rd Place: Rhythm (Otago Girls’ High School)

Sponsor Awards

The Regional Finals also acknowledged excellence across a range of categories, generously supported by local sponsors and judges:

• Emerging Leader Award – Business South
  Winner: Kitchen Canvas (Mount Aspiring College)
• Social Enterprise Award – Downie Stewart Lawyers
  Winner: Good Grains (Liger Academy)
• Innovation Award – Findex
  Winner: Rhythm (Otago Girls’ High School)
• Social Enterprise Award – Downie Stewart Lawyers
  Winner: DonateMate (St Hilda’s Collegiate School)
• Mayor’s Award for Commercialisation Excellence – Dunedin City Council
  Winner: Natures Prime (St Hilda’s Collegiate School)
• Excellence in Marketing & Sales – Otago Polytechnic
  Winner: Natures Prime (St Hilda’s Collegiate School)

Business South acknowledges the Otago Business School and Pro Vice Chancellor, Professor Maree Thyne for hosting the event, and extends special thanks to all sponsors, mentors, teachers, and business judges who make the programme possible.