On Friday, for the fourth year in a row, we invited over 50 young female entrepreneurs from JCG LEAP to present their social enterprise concepts, centred on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, in a Dragons Den-style pitch.

The JCG LEAP programme was designed to cultivate and prepare young women aged 14 to 18 with business, entrepreneurial, and leadership skills. Bringing the week to a close, the young women presented well-thought-out business proposals that demonstrated a thorough understanding of the complexities of social enterprises, including financing, marketing, sales, and audience targeting.

On the panel was Managing Director, Jo Gorrod, who said "It was a pleasure to be a part of this inspiring event. It is truly remarkable to witness the commitment and brilliance of these young women year on year. Throughout their pitches, you could see how they embraced the essence of social entrepreneurship and demonstrated exceptional talent, I hope this leaves a lasting impression as they embark on their missions to make the world a better place through their sustainable and influential businesses."

Oak is delighted to support such a remarkable event, which aligns with our dedication to promoting diversity, gender equality, and positive change in the business landscape.