Knightsbridge School Entrepreneur Competition 2026

The next generation of business leaders and founders recently made their mark at Knightsbridge School’s Entrepreneur Competition. On 26th March, St Columba’s Church on Pont Street was transformed into a bustling marketplace for the culmination of a five-month journey of innovation and hard work.

The competition began in January, when thirty student teams faced a Dragon’s Den-style pitch. Each group had two minutes to present their concepts, product samples, and initial pricing strategies to a panel of judges. To make the cut, students had to prove their ideas were both unique and sustainable.

From there, the 17 teams that advanced entered a rigorous series of weekly business workshops. These sessions focused on the “4Ps of Marketing” (Product, Price, Place, and Promotion), giving the young entrepreneurs a foundational toolkit to implement in their own ventures.

The students benefited from the expertise of industry professionals who shared their knowledge and experience. Visitors included:

• Susan Yu, an entrepreneur and London Business School MBA graduate, Yu coached finalists on the core pillars of marketing strategy. 
• Ismael Wrixen: As CEO of ThriveCart, Wrixen provided hands-on coaching to small groups on running successful modern businesses.
• Raj Batra: The Founder and CEO of Distiil offered specialised insight into the world of bespoke product creation

The students showcased impressive marketing flair throughout the process, creating advertisements that were displayed around the school and even launching pre-registration discounts to drive sales at the Final. A handful of students also produced 60-second promotional videos that reached over 3,000 followers on the school’s Instagram account.

At the Grand Final, the 17 finalists hosted bespoke stalls, selling their wares to parents, staff, and governors. Nearly all of the team sold out of their products! The judges awarded top honors to the teams that best mastered specific business disciplines:

• Sustainability: Green Greeting Cards (plantable greeting cards)
• Promotion: OliveROil (family-produced Olive Oil)
• Placement: JAM JARS (homemade jams)
• Price: Organic Oil Soap (homemade soap)
• Product:  Livander (organic lavender pouches)

Now in its tenth year, this competition has become a true highlight of the academic calendar for the entire Knightsbridge School community. As the global workplace continues to evolve at a rapid pace, initiatives like these are vital for equipping our young people with the practical skills, confidence, and adaptability they need to thrive in the future.