Teen entrepreneur wins US trip

WIN: Leah McGrath after winning her trip to San Francisco. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Manawatu teenager Leah McGrath is heading to San Francisco next month after winning an entrepreneurship competition last week.

The Palmerston North Girls' High School student was one of five other teenagers to win the prize after competing in the Young Enterprise Trust's annual event, Enterprise in Action.

About 80 students went to Auckland to win the trip that includes visiting big American companies such as Facebook and Google. The six students competed in two team and one individual challenge. They had to use their business knowledge to come up with creative solutions for team challenges, and think quickly to come up with strategic answers to the individual challenge.

Leah said she was very excited to be preparing for San Francisco.

"I never thought I would make it to Auckland let alone to make the New Zealand team and be visiting such amazing companies. It will be a great time to learn and soak up all the knowledge that I can as an entrepreneur. It is amazing to be the first PNGH student to qualify and win."

The six students that make up Team New Zealand will travel to San Francisco with the support of Air New Zealand and FedEx Express. Air New Zealand has reduced the travel costs and FedEx Express has contributed US$3000.

They will spend five days in San Francisco and hope to visit some of Silicon Valley's leading businesses. They will also visit one of FedEx's largest hubs in Oakland to gain an understanding of the transportation industry. Young Enterprise CEO Terry Shubkin said the six shone throughout the competition.

"They were nominated for the tripby their peers and really impressedour judging panel."

New Zealand Country manager for FedEx Express Dee Ngakuru was also a part of the judging panel and said the students impressed them with their ability to think strategically under daunting time pressures.

Young Enterprise Trust works with schools throughout New Zealand to help students develop their entrepreneurial skills.