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On Thursday night, hundreds of people gathered at the Te Papa Tongarewa to celebrate the achievements of New Zealand’s most outstanding young entrepreneurs. Despite the disruptions faced in 2020 more than 4000 senior secondary students took part in YES this year, setting up over 1000 companies between them. Only 21 of those companies made it to the National Final, and only one was crowned YES Company of the Year.

Regional Champions from across the country came to Wellington yesterday to pitch in the dragon’s den style National Final, and attended the awards dinner where they found out which companies won a share of the $23,000+ cash prize pool.

The social enterprise was designed with the vision to have everyone in New Zealand learning sign language. Their mission is to educate, promote and raise awareness of New Zealand’s third nationally recognized language through the interactive card game. The cards incorporate Te Reo Māori and various aspects of New Zealand culture. The incorporation of all 3 of New Zealand’s national languages has garnered media interest from across the country.

Second place was Abalro from Bay Field High School which have created a health supplement made from imported Barberries. The company was awarded $2000, as well as an additional $1000 for their school.

Remojo Tech from Aotea College came third. Remojo Tech is creating a sustainable solution to e-waste problems while also enabling device accessibility amongst students in schools. The company was awarded a $1000 cash prize and $1000 for their school.

Among the judges for the competition were: Rachel Taulelei (CEO for Kono and Trustee for YES); Anna Mowbray (COO ZURU Toys); Jarron Boulter (Country Head of Payments and Cash Management from HSBC); Sarah Smith (Trustee for The Lion Foundation); Debi Boffa (Managing Director bp New Zealand); and Mark Eglington (CEO of NDA Group). Young Enterprise CEO Terry Shubkin said that this is her favourite night of the year for a number of reasons:

"I love this night because we're celebrating the students' successes, failures and triumphs of the YES year but I also love this night because, more importantly, tonight is a sneak-peek of what the future holds - a future of leaders, changemakers and disruptors."  Terry Shubkin

This public event was the culmination of the companies’ business year. Over the past year, these students have created and run their own businesses right from conception through to production, marketing and sales. The one-year programme gives students an authentic learning experience that prepares them for life after schooling by teaching entrepreneurship and connecting them with the business community.

Full list of award recipients from the YES National Awards 2020:

The Lion Foundation Young Enterprise Scheme Company of the Year 2020  - SLICNZ, Pakuranga College

The Sir John Todd Memorial Award for 2nd Place - Abalro, Bayfield High School

Todd Foundation Award for 3rd Place - Remojo Tech, Aotea College

National Excellence Award for CEO of the Year - Malaga Aukusotino, Bishop Viard College

Te Arahanga Primary Industries Award - Pathways to Primary, Waimea College

Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment Award for Innovation - Remojo Tech, Aotea College

Sir James Fletcher Award for Most Inspiring Teacher - Nyssa Poffley, Otumoetai College

Gallagher Award for Smart Technology - CloudMass, Glendowie College

BP Award for Social Enterprise - SLICNZ, Pakuranga College

National Excellence Award for Rangatahi Entrepreneur - Te Kete ō Tangaroa, Havelock North High School

HSBC Award for Environmental Sustainability - Te Kete ō Tangaroa, Havelock North High School

National Excellence Award for Pasifika Business - The Hustle, Bishop Viard College

Ministry of Youth Development Award for Resilience - HBRP Give & Take, Hawke's Bay Regional Prison

NZ Aid Programme Award for Solving a Development Problem - Remojo Tech, Aotea College

National Excellence Award for Sales and Marketing - Ecobase, Timaru Boys' High School

Tourism Industry New Zealand Trust Award for Tourism - Kiwication, Otumoetai College

Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand Award for Accounting and Finance - Ecobase, Timaru Boys' High School

The Lion Foundation Young Enterprise Scheme Company of the Year 2020SLICNZPakuranga CollegeThe Sir John Todd Memorial Award for 2nd PlaceAbalroBayfield High SchoolTodd Foundation Award for 3rd PlaceRemojo TechAotea CollegeTe Arahanga Primary Industries AwardPathways to PrimaryWaimea CollegeMinistry of Business, Innovation and Employment Award for InnovationRemojo TechAotea CollegeNational Excellence Award for CEO of the YearMalaga AukusotinoBishop Viard CollegeGallagher Award for Smart TechnologyCloudMassGlendowie CollegeBP Award for Social EnterpriseSLICNZPakuranga CollegeNational Excellence Award for Rangatahi EntrepreneurTe Kete ō TangaroaHavelock North High SchoolHSBC Award for Environmental SustainabilityTe Kete ō TangaroaHavelock North High SchoolNational Excellence Award for Pasifika BusinessThe HustleBishop Viard CollegeMinistry of Youth Development Award for ResilienceHBRP Give & TakeHawke's Bay Regional PrisonNZ Aid Programme Award for Solving a Development ProblemRemojo TechAotea CollegeNational Excellence Award for Sales and MarketingEcobaseTimaru Boys' High SchoolTourism Industry New Zealand Trust Award for TourismKiwicationOtumoetai CollegeChartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand Award for Accounting and FinanceEcobaseTimaru Boys' High SchoolSir James Fletcher Award for Most Inspiring TeacherNyssa Poffley Otumoetai College