Young Innovators Shine at Queen Mary University’s Dragon’s Den Competition
The future of business looked bright at Queen Mary University of London yesterday, as the School of Business and Management (SBM) hosted its much-anticipated Future Business Leaders: Dragon’s Den Competition and Workshop at the Mile End Campus.
Welcoming over 70 budding entrepreneurs from Year 10 to Year 12, the event showcased bold new ideas from the next generation of changemakers, all centred on the School’s core pillars: Social Justice, Sustainability, and Good Governance.
Following a competitive application process, six teams of student finalists pitched their visionary ventures live on stage to a panel of expert judges. After a morning of high-energy presentations and rigorous Q&A, Millie Pierce and Moon Miazi emerged as the winners, impressing the judges with their creative and impactful proposal. Also pitching as finalists were Taiyeba Chowdhury, Fardowso Farah, Zaynab Hakiemie, Hamda Hussein, and Ria Amin - all of whom demonstrated remarkable innovation and entrepreneurial spirit.
The event began with a practical entrepreneurship workshop led by Dr Gloria Appiah, Lecturer in Entrepreneurship and Innovation and Deputy Director of the SBM Entrepreneurship Hub, and Dr S M A Moin, Reader in Storytelling and Brand Communications, Co-Director of BSc Marketing & Management. Sessions included guidance on crafting business plans, developing pitch techniques, and understanding the startup journey - supported by insights from current student ambassadors and alumni.
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The final pitches were judged by Dr Appiah, Dr Moin, and Raj Anand Jaiswal a Queen Mary Masters student, offering a well-rounded panel that combined academic, industry, and student perspectives.
"It was an absolute pleasure to serve as a judge for the Future Business Leaders: Dragon’s Den Competition. The pitches presented by these A-level students were nothing short of outstanding - demonstrating not only creative thinking and entrepreneurial spirit but also a strong ability to identify real-world problems and offer innovative solutions. Their ideas reflect the high potential of the next generation of business leaders, and I’m excited to see where their journeys take them."
- Dr S M A Moin, Reader in Storytelling and Brand Communications, Queen Mary University of London
Designed not only as a competition but also as a taster of undergraduate life at Queen Mary, the event aimed to inspire young minds while highlighting the School’s commitment to meaningful business education. By engaging prospective students with real-world challenges and dynamic learning, the School of Business and Management reaffirmed its role as a hub for socially conscious, future-facing entrepreneurship.
"It was a real pleasure to welcome students from our local schools and hear their inspiring entrepreneurial ideas. We loved seeing their enthusiasm for entrepreneurship. The School of Business and Management, together with the Entrepreneurship Hub, offers a wealth of resources to further nurture the entrepreneurial mindsets of these future innovators. We’re excited and look forward to more opportunities to support and engage with them."
- Dr Gloria Appiah, Lecturer in Entrepreneurship and Innovation and Deputy Director of the SBM Entrepreneurship Hub
The Future Business Leaders initiative is part of Queen Mary’s broader outreach to connect with local communities, showcase its world-class programs, and build a new generation of socially responsible entrepreneurs.
Jessica Wang, the School Marketing Manager, noted:
"We created this platform to inspire and empower future business leaders - students who want to make a difference in their communities and beyond. The ideas we saw today were thoughtful, passionate, and incredibly promising."
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For more information on future taster events or to explore undergraduate opportunities at the School of Business and Management, visit the events page.