Harnessing the power of teamwork - young entrepreneurs compete to be Company of the Year (From Harrow Times)

Young Enterprise company LeadR competes to become best student company in Harrow and Brent

11:20am Friday 8th March 2013 in News By Jaber Mohamed

They modified solar-powered phone chargers to work in low sunlight - now students who set up an award-winning business are confident they can generate enough support to win an enterprise competition.

LeadR was set up by 28 Hatch End High School pupils, who will be competing in the Young Enterprise Harrow and Brent area final at Stanmore College on Wednesday March 20.

The teenagers started their business by selling custom made USB sticks they had ordered from a supplier in China but moved on to selling the modified phone chargers.

The young entrepreneurs have made £700 so far, winning a silver medal at a North London trade show held at Cannons High School and two days later an award for the most innovative product at trade fair in Greenford Market.

Managing director Ajeepan Kopal, 17, said: “We are looking to get to the final and we’re really confident we can go all the way and win it.

"This project has taught us quite a lot about the business world and about teamwork."

More than 200 students will be taking part in the competition and the winners will go forward into the West London regional final, where they will compete for a place at the city-wide final in June.