College students rubbed shoulders with a royal and a record producer as they pitched the next big digital business ideas to a panel.
Students from Barking and Dagenham College, Dagenham Road, Romford, put forward their business ideas to the Duke of York and music royalty will.i.am at an exhibition as part of the Inspiring Digital Enterprise Award (iDEA).
The young entrepreneurs, who managed to take a “selfie” with will.i.am, will each be able to invest £15,000 into their digital venture if their idea makes the top three.
The iDEA initiative is led by Prince Andrew and the Nominet Trust who are looking to help 16 to 25-year-olds develop digital businesses.
Student Emilie Rix, 17, who pitched along with 20-year-old Phillip Newberry, said: “The experience was very exciting and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I was so honoured to attend and to present my idea to The Duke of York and will.i.am.”
At the Barbican event, will.i.am said: “Start a movement in the UK, dream up alternatives, change the world with your ideas, be fearless – let’s go.”
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