Students from the Royal Borough are preparing for one of London’s biggest entrepreneurial competitions.

Youngsters from the Windsor Boy’s School attended the Big Idea Challenge 2019 Bootcamp day, held at NatWest’s headquarters on the 7 March. During the bootcamp, the students had the opportunity to learn more about how to set up successful businesses, receiving advice from industry mentors and guidance on creating the perfect pitch.

The Windsor and Maidenhead based students have the chance to progress to the finals of the competition where their idea will be judged alongside several other ideas from London-based schools and colleges. The winner will be announced on Thursday 2 May, at an awards ceremony held at the prestigious Royal Institution.

Jamie Cissell, a student at The Windsor Boy’s School, said: "Our idea came from the fact that my dad runs a care agency and has clients with dementia. I've seen first-hand the situations he deals with and thought about how we can take this further.

“Our smart mirror product aims to help people with dementia remember their day-to-day activities, as a mirror is the first and last thing you look at each day.

"London Metropolitan University ‘s Big Idea Challenge has been really fun, and our mentor has been really helpful. We've been encouraged to think more and put our idea into real life."

Nick Howe, Big Idea Challenge judge and NatWest Regional Enterprise Manager, said: “I was very impressed by the great ideas presented today. NatWest invests a huge amount of resources in the start-up industry because we recognise the benefits not only to the business community, but also to wider society through the creation of jobs, economic growth, and teaching young people the skills they need to thrive.

“The hard work and creativity displayed by all the young entrepreneurs involved in the challenge has been very inspiring to witness and gives me the utmost confidence that the future of London business is in safe hands.”