53 kids in 10 teams from our school took it upon themselves to start a business as part of Microsoft’s Global Enterprise Challenge. They were expected to create a brand identity, research on product designs, create prototypes, pitch their business plans to investors, understand the market through research and of course, sell their products. The young 5th, 6th & 7th graders have taken the entire shebang of starting up a company upon their tiny shoulders.

For the 10 teams, 2 of our teams: Rivals of Pollution and Bookmates, were shortlisted in the top 16. Bookmates even went to the finale where they were interviewed by one of the 3 Microsoft judges – Mandeep Atwal. They have been shortlisted from a total of 340 teams, worldwide, after working hard for over 5 months! After scrutinizing their work basis their profits, pitch presentations and advertisements this team went on to be the global winner!

The winning team will be felicitated at the prestigious Microsoft E2 conference in the Microsoft Worldwide Headquarters, Seattle. Let’s clap for the team and their leader (Left to right): Kalyanee Bhor, Grade 6; Sindhuja Suryanarayan, Grade 7; Kurian David, Grade 6, Mrs. Avnita Bir, Avaanya Pandya, Grade 5; Pranshu Jindal, Grade 6.

One of the judges, Merlin John, an international journalist, covered the team on his website. The team was recently interviewed by two leading Indian dailies on their win. Times of India was interested in finding out the children’s understanding of the project, while Hindustan Times reported it.