The 2011 competition was bigger and better than ever before with 30 teams entering, keen to impress the judges with their business plans. It was a real challenge juggling the intensive project with school work, exams and other activities. Well done to all teams!

Huge congratulations go to the girls from Grace Academy Coventry - winners of the Big Deal 2011. The aptly named 'Team Empire' will be jetting off on a business trip to New York City this autumn for their prize. Intent on seeing the Empire State Building that inspired their team name, the girls will also be visiting businesses, schools, and universities to promote their business idea and learn more about business and education in the US.

The fantastic idea involved promoting healthy lifestyles to school pupils. The project was extremely well thought through and really impressed the judges. The girls have already had success in a local primary school and intend to pursue it, even hoping to take their healthy lifestyle advice over to schools in New York!

The Final Results

Winners:

Grace Academy Coventry, Team Empire: Vicky Eustace, Leonie Bourne, Lucy Horner, Jemma Hancox (Mentor: Mari Ollerenshaw)

Runners up:

Brighton Hill Community College, Basingstoke, Team 'Colours of the Clouds': Sophie Daniel, Charlotte Cox, Liliana Jimenez Paredes (Mentor: Claire Young)

Highly Commended:

Barking Abbey School, Team Discovery: Hajira Tung, Hardeep Dhaliwal, Natasha Kinsella, Priya Patel (Mentor: Julia Stevens)

Goffs School, Cheshunt, Team Techno: Yasmin Ibrahim and Heather Badbury (Mentor: Jennifer Woodyer)

Team Empire, The Big Deal 2011 Winners

Left to right:
Vicky Eustace, Leonie Bourne, Mari Ollerenshaw
(Mentor), Lucy Horner, Jemma Hanco