Event summary: Showcase your creativity and business flair in PETA’s Apprentice vs Dragons’ Den — a design and innovation challenge for aspiring young entrepreneurs.
The Apprentice Vs Dragons Den programme is a design, innovation and business competition that celebrates, encourages and inspires the next generation of talent. Open to students aged between 13-16, we have set the challenge to 'create a product that solves one of modern life's challenges' .
Click here for our Highlight Video
This is an excellent opportunity for students to demonstrate their capabilities to an audience of the Solent's leading business leaders, as well as the chance to win significant prizes whilst creating exposure to kick start their careers (future apprenticeship opportunities, work experience opportunities, expert knowledge and advice).
Although we don't want the teams to physically create a product, we want them to think of a product following closely 4 keys areas: concept, design, production and business plan*. We also encourage the use of modern technology tools and software where possible to help maximise and develop their products potential.
We are looking for teams of up to 5 people and your fantastic new ideas! You will begin your journey with a visit to one of PETA's workshops where we will explore the whole programme and work closely with you to develop each of the key areas.
After the workshop you will need to go off and continue working together in your groups to finalise the project and add any finishing touches. As a team you will then need to create a video presentation of your idea where you'll talk through this idea in depth, this video will be judged by our panel of judges. Once all submissions have been submitted and judged, there will be a final 5 shortlisted.
The final 5 will be invited to PETA to attend our Apprentice Vs Dragons' Den final on Thursday 12th February 2026! Before we reach our final, finalists will be visited by the PETA team to just run through the project, tweak and create a high quality final ready presentation which you will present at the final to the dragons and audience.
We’ve proudly run this competition for the past four years, and in that time we’ve seen an incredible variety of innovative ideas and winning projects. These have included solutions for reducing waste in our oceans and in our homes, tools for measuring and monitoring carbon footprints, and even an eco-friendly bus concept. We’ve also celebrated digital innovations such as a social media toggle app, an accessibility add-on to help people with disabilities access all information on a web page, a revision app with built-in tutoring and quizzes to strengthen weaker areas, and a smart task-management app.
Apprentice Vs Dragons Den Winner Leaderboard:
2021/22 - Horndean Technology College - Watch your Step!
2022/23 - Mayfield School - E.P
2023/24 - The Portsmouth Academy - E-Kitchen
2024/25 - Toynbee School - Glow
*The 4 key areas:
• Outlining the concept of the product (origination, definition, similarities to others and alternatives)
• A well thought out design (desired result, features and benefits, the future, commerciality)
• How it could be produced (materials, sustainability, timescales, aesthetics, costs, manufacturing process)
• A business plan (product name, pricing, target market, competition, marketing strategy, potential profits, projected figures)