Need some tips on how your business can crack the global export market? Look no further! A group of young entrepreneurs from Omagh Academy fought off the competition from over 30 companies from around Europe to be awarded the Best Overall Company. The students have been working with local charity Young Enterprise to start their company Emerge (http://www.oaouchpouch.co.uk/) through its Company Programme.

With the support of the NI Chamber of Commerce they attended a special European Trade Fair event staged by the charity’s global partners at Junior Achievement-Young Enterprise (JA-YE). The JA-YE Marketplace event ran from 11th-13th March in Vienna, Austria where up to 30 student businesses from across Europe came together to trade and develop their skills in the global marketplace.

Emerge have developed a small medical kit, the Ouch Pouch, designed with the purpose of educating children between the ages of 5 and 11 on how to deal with minor medical emergencies. The kit provides them with basic equipment, a booklet which gives the instructions and guidance needed to carryout minor fix ups and even includes Medi Teddy, the teddy bear who provides comfort to children when they are hurt.

Ann McGregor, Chief Executive of Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said “NI Chamber is delighted to support these young students as they take part in education programmes which focus on entrepreneurship, work readiness and financial literacy.  The initiatives will help them develop the skills they need in order to operate within the global economy.  We wish them well and are sure they will gain a lot from their participation.”

Kathryn Watterson from Watterson’s Department Store in Omagh, who has mentored Ouch Pouch from the start of the programme, commented “When I first met Ouch Pouch I loved the excitement and enthusiasm amongst the team. They had a super product with their Ouch Pouch and I have thoroughly enjoyed being their mentor on their Young Enterprise journey. It wasn’t a hard task to offer advice to the team as all the credit should go to them. They developed their outstanding individual skills into a well organised team and extremely successful business. I wish them every success as they travel to Vienna for the International market weekend and congratulate them on their fantastic achievements throughout the years! Well Done!”

Elaine Fyffe-Harper, who also mentored the group, commented “Ouch Pouch is a remarkable Company. The team have worked so well together in all aspects of the Company Programme and have had great support from their support teacher, Miss Fahy. I am delighted that they have achieved so much and especially their achievement in Vienna at the weekend.”

Young Enterprise Chief Executive Carol Fitzsimons also lent her support to the group.  “These young entrepreneurs are flying the flag for us in Europe in the year as Northern Ireland completes its year as EU European Entrepreneurial Region.  We’re delighted that these students are taking the opportunity to take part in global enterprise and are learning the skills of export that we know the NI economy needs to develop. We wish them well as they aim to impress at the event.”