Last night the Otago Business School hosted the Young Enterprise Scheme (YES) regional finals for 2025.
For those who aren’t familiar, YES is a hands-on programme for Year 12–13 students, giving them the chance to start and run a real business while developing practical skills and local connections.
This event is the culmination of that programme - celebrating their hard mahi and drawing a buzzing crowd of supportive friends, family and community.
Pitches were judged live, with this year’s panel of judges including:
Maree Thyne, Pro Vice-Chancellor at Otago Business School
Gus Geary, Director of Marketing and Communications at Otago Polytechnic
Paul Hubbard, Partner at Downie Stewart
Tess Brais-Laflamme, Account at Polson Higgs and Startup Dunedin Alumni
Mike Collins, CEO of Business South
Sophie Barker, Mayor of Dunedin
Nigel Smellie, Partner, Findex
Business South’s Daniel Healy was the MC for the evening, welcoming everyone to the event. CEO Mike Collins then took the stage to explain how this year, in our region, a massive 350 students engaged with the program from 13 schools.
Maree Thyne then also joined the stage, with an inspiring kōrero about the importance of an entrepreneurial mindset.
“Entrepreneurship is more than starting a business; it’s problem solving, it’s creativity, it’s resilience, it’s a mindset.”
- Maree Thyne
Leather goods can often be left uncared for and eventually discarded. Enter Natures Prime: a NZ-made leather conditioner and protector that comes complete with a balm, applicator, and even gift packs!
Already generating over $13,000 in sales, the brand has been featured on the radio and is stocked in numerous stores around Dunedin. Beyond business success, the team is committed to giving back, donating 5% of proceeds to the Rural Support Trust. You can read more about this team in their ODT article here.
2025 Regional Runner-up
Rhythm - Otago Girls High School
@rhythm.periodcare
There's a groundbreaking new drink on the market, and this one is specifically designed to support people throughout their menstrual cycle with holistic period symptom relief. Developed with support from Dunedin startup Zestt, Rhythm is benefitting from their expert facilities and quality ingredients.
The team actively built community connections through customer interviews and regular appearances at the Otago Farmers Market. Find it online or locally at Taste Nature and Roslyn Pharmacy - and read their ODT article here!
Congratulations, Rhythm. We can’t wait to see where things lead for this team and their innovative new product.
Good Grains - Liger Leadership Academy
@goodgrains.nz
Good Grains opened their pitch as “two 17 year olds just making crackers”, but really, they are upcycling artisan grains from breweries in the process! Creating a value-add product with chilli and salt, they are targeting Queenstown brewers to intercept their waste and turn it into crackers.
So far they’re already working with Altitude Brewing, Handle Bar and Cargo Brewing - we can’t wait to see where they go next.
DonateMate - St Hildas Collegiate Academy
@donatemate
Every year, parents are unaware they can claim tax back on their school donations. At St Hilda’s alone, that means $490,000 going unclaimed. DonateMate founder, Olivia Priemus built a solution that guides them through the process, turning giving into getting.
Beginning by getting the word out in school newspapers, DonateMate has ensured that 50% of her profits ($629 so far) are going to CureKids. Olivia is a founder to keep an eye on for sure, recently featured nationally on the news platform Stuff - read more here!
SunScent - Otago Girls’ High School
@sunscent.yes
SunScent are developing a hands-free sunscreen application. The idea was born from their experience of needing to - but not wanting to - apply sunscreen while rowing, and how much it ruined their grip.
A lemon-scented sunscreen with a cosmetic applicator, they’ve been on the market for 6 weeks now and even threw a launch party! Next up - catch them at R&A alongside 10,000 attendees (send a photo if you see them there!). Rumor has it that they are in it for the long run. Read more about SunScent here.
Clean Bean & Brew - Queens High School
This is an instant coffee sachet that includes 14g protein per serve and is dairy free!
Made from fava bean protein, it has a unique caramel flavour and is easy to whip up no matter where you are. With a focus on sustainability, their next step is to move to compostable packaging.
While the team are off to tertiary studies next year, they’re already making plans for their next few farmers markets and how they can keep building it while they study.
Bug Free Bliss - Mt Aspiring College
@bugfreebliss
With all natural ingredients and a vanilla scent, Bug Free Bliss is blending insect repellent with skin care.
Their product has been tried and tested on the team during a 4 day hike through Landsborough valley.
They are passionate about the Spirit of Wanaka, focusing on sustainability with biodegradable packaging. With a retail partnership with Crossfire in Wanaka, we have it on good authority that bugs hate it, but you will love it.
Kitchen Canvas - Mt Aspiring College
@kitchencanvas2025
Kitchens are where families come together and neighbours become friends. Leaning into this through art, storytelling, and functionality, Kitchen Canvas are making tea-towels printed with family recipes. With four designs to choose from, they feature iconic Kiwi scenery from Matukituki Valley, Mt Aspiring Station, Cardrona and Glendhu bay. The team gives 10% of all profit to Food for Love and source their towels from Dunedin, keeping the supply chain small. You can find them at Paperplus or the i-site - another great one for the Christmas gift list.