S3 pupils Archie McManus and Gabriel Moody from Our Lady’s High School in Cumbernauld impressed the judges with their innovative product, AC Genetics, and comprehensive approach to planning their business, including their contact with a leading skin care brand to partner, and their well-considered target audiences and marketing.

The drink is created with natural botanical extracts and essential nutrients and offers an energy boost while helping to promote a glowing complexion.

Archie and Gabriel each received a £100 gift voucher and a trophy for the school.

Dragon’s Lair is our annual entrepreneurial competition which aims to introduce young people to the world of business and a possible career path they may not have considered.

It is open to all S3 pupils who are asked to think of a business idea then develop a business plan. These are scored by Business Gateway Advisors, with the top seven teams invited to the final to pitch their idea to a panel of industry expert ‘dragons’.

The dragons are all local business people who bring a great deal of business knowledge and experience: Calum Stevens, Commercial Director at BDD Pharma; Scott Webb, Regional Manager of UKSE; Jeanette McIntyre, MD of Indeglas; and Richard McCombe, MD of Graphic Warehouse.  

Scott Webb, Regional Manager at UKSE, principal sponsors of Dragons Lair, said: “Congratulations to the AC Genetics team on their well thought out business idea which impressed the Dragons with its commercial appeal, as well as the clear planning and market research that had been undertaken.   

“I have been involved with this fantastic initiative for a number of years and never failed to be impressed by the standard of entries, as well as the professionalism and enthusiasm the pupils put into their pitches. This year there was such an array of different ideas, that the teams had put so much thought and effort into, it was very difficult to select a winner.”

This year 26 teams registered for Dragons Lair. The runners-up were Luci Donohoe, Brooke McKellan and Ella Stuart from Cumbernauld Academy. Their idea was ‘Backstage Pass’, an app that supports performers across Scotland by helping them to keep up with opportunities to further their careers, such as auditions, gigs, workshops, theatre events and local groups that can support actors and their careers.

Councillor Alex McVey, Convener of Enterprise and Fair Work Committee at North Lanarkshire Council attended the event and said: “I was incredibly impressed by all the teams who presented their business ideas so professionally at the final, as well as the effort and ingenuity they put into their business plans. It is fantastic to see the entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well in North Lanarkshire.

“I would also like to thank the local businesses – UKSE, BDD Pharma, Indeglas, and Graphic Warehouse – that generously gave up their time to support and sponsor Dragons Lair.”

The other finalists were:

• Bellshill Academy: Cameron Millar with self-watering and fertilising plant pot, ‘Easy Plant’.
• Coltness High School: Amy Blakeway, Andrew Ossatian and Suleman Zafar with their travel planning app ‘Planit Earth’.
• Cumbernauld Academy: Marina Yembu with a lightweight, eco-friendly all season power bank designed for all ages, ‘Season Charge’.
• Our Lady’s High, Cumbernauld: Olivia Ferrie & Jessica Haining with their innovative approach to mental health care, ‘Guided Growth’.
• Taylor High School: Ayat Faraz and Eshal Shahid looking to revolutionise personal beauty experiences with an AI powered mirror, ‘True Tone AI’.