A team of emerging entrepreneurs from Cornwall has beaten all regional competition and won a place in the prestigious national finals of the Young Enterprise Company Programme.

The winning business was The Seaweed Gardeners, a start-up company created by pupils at Truro School. At the South West Regional Finals held in Poole, they were judged more successful than teams from Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Plymouth and West of England.

The product the company produces is plant food created using recycled materials, including used coffee granules and eggshells, blended with the main ingredient, seaweed.

The last time Cornwall won the regional competition was 2008 and it’s ten years since the county won the national finals.

John Topham, Chairman of the Young Enterprise Board, said: “The Seaweed Gardeners gave a wonderful presentation and it was a real pleasure to be associated with them. The shock and joy on their faces and the reaction to the announcement from their staff and supporters was great to see. Smiles, laughter, tears and hugs. A fantastic success!”

The Young Enterprise Scheme is aimed at young people aged 15-19 and runs throughout one academic year, enabling participants to find out what it’s really like to set up and run a business. The teams make all the decisions about their company, from deciding on the company name and product to creating a business plan, managing the company finances and selling to the public at trade fairs. All this takes place with the support of a volunteer Business Adviser who provides business knowledge and expertise.

Claire Tresidder, Centre Lead at Truro School, said: “I am so proud of all that the Seaweed Gardeners have achieved. At Truro School we appreciate that in today’s society young people can leave school with straight A grades and still struggle in the real world. That’s why we firmly believe in nurturing students wholeheartedly, both in and out of the classroom, in order to raise affable young girls and boys who are ready to make a difference when they move on. I truly believe that the skills the Seaweed Gardeners have developed being a part of the Young Enterprise programme will be invaluable in their future careers.”

The team is now through to the national finals which will take place at The Emirates Stadium in London on 6th & 7th July.