MEW Student Enterprise Challenge

MEW Student Enterprise Challenge 2021

The MEW Student Enterprise Challenge is an annual competition currently open to students of all secondary schools in Meath where students compete for the awards of –

Best Startup Business
Best New Business Idea

The purpose of the competition is to encourage and reward entrepreneurial creativity, innovation and participation amongst the youth of Meath while also providing a platform for aspiring young entrepreneurs to engage with and learn from leading entrepreneurs and businesses from across the region.

Now in its eighth year, the MEW Student Enterprise Challenge is open to secondary school students of all years (individuals & teams). We have had some excellent entries over the last few years with several of our past winners going on to gain significant investment in their businesses from local entrepreneurs as a direct outcome of competing in this competition.

Even though restrictions still exist and there are still some challenges when it comes to coordinating such events, we are really looking forward to working with you to meet these challenges head on and continue to support your students in developing their entrepreneurial skills and mindset.

#SEChallenge21

Categories / Prizes

The winning students / businesses will receive;

Best Startup Business Best New Business Idea
- 1st – €600 1st – €400
- 2nd – €300 2nd – €200
- 3rd – €150 3rd – €100

Best 5 Minute Pitch
- €250

The winning schools will also receive the following;

Best Startup Business Winner Best New Business Idea Winner
- €600 €400

Best 5 Minute Pitch
- €250

Entry Requirements

The MEW Student Enterprise Challenge is open to all students attending secondary school in Meath.
Applicants can be teams or individuals (5 max per team).
As there will be no heats this year, competitors will instead submit a 5 minute video presentation of their ‘new business idea’ or ‘startup business’ (before 3rd November) for review and assessment by our panel of judges who will then decide who goes forward to the Grand Final on 10th November #MEW2021
Applications for #SEChallenge21 will open on 11th October 2021. Schools should submit all applications / entries by emailing the following information to conor@meathenterprise.ie
- The total number of entries / teams per school,
- The name(s) of each entry or team,
- The name(s) of the student(s) in each team,
- A brief synopsis of each idea or business (max 100 words)
The deadline for confirming applications / entries is Wednesday 20th October 2021.

Judging

All competing students / teams will be required to submit a 5 minute video presentation of their ‘new business idea’ or ‘startup business’ no later than Wednesday 3rd November.

These video presentations / submissions will be reviewed and assessed by our panel of judges before deciding who will progress on to the Grand Final on 10th November #MEW2021

Decisions will be made and based solely on the information supplied as part of the video presentation / submission.

No additional information will be considered before or after the video video presentation / submission.

The decision of the judges is final.

#SEChallenge21

Winners will be announced at the end of the MEW Student Enterprise Challenge Grand Final which will take place during Meath Enterprise Week #MEW2021 on Wednesday 10th November. This event will be either virtual or in-person (at the Kells Tech Hub) depending on restrictions however a decision on this will not be made until the end of October 2021.

Awards (Trophies & Medals) will be sent to the schools directly within 1-2 days of the final and all schools / teams will then be required to arrange photos and/or video interviews of the winners, and all other finalists, being presented with their awards by their principals and/or teachers.

These individual and group photos and videos (of all winners and finalists) should then be sent to conor@meathenterprise.ie within 2-3 days so that we can promote and share same and then arrange for cash prizes to be approved and issued to all winning teams and schools as required.