Hunting For The Hunter's Best Young Business Mind

Jahluvi Mtanda with his mother at last year's Hunter Young Business Minds Awards.

Hunter Young Business Mind Awards (HYBMA) are on the lookout for the Hunter region’s budding entrepreneurs. Now in its sixth year, the awards recognise young people under 25 with an innovative business concept, product, service or solution.

---

Last year, 14-year-old Jahluvi Mtanda won his category, inspired by his mother, who encouraged him to explore his artistic talent with an eye toward entrepreneurship.

“I won my award for my ‘off the screens onto the canvas’ project,” said Jahluvi. “I wanted to encourage young people to take time off the screens and explore their inner artist. I didn’t expect to win. It was surreal.”

Jahluvi now runs his own business, Jah Arts and Designs offering Munch & Paint packages for young people as well as selling his artworks and merchandise. Jahluvi was recently highly commended at the Hunter Business Excellence Awards.

“I have a fully operational business now and a busy week managing school, my business and basketball. I’ve learned how to manage money and gained so much confidence. My advice to anyone thinking about entering the awards is to do it. Do not ever be scared to do what you would like to do.”

Jahluvi Mtanda at work.

Primary students enter the Innovation in Sustainability award as a classroom. Designed to encourage primary school students to take action towards protecting the environment by developing a sustainable project or business idea that positively impacts the planet, it aligns with the current curriculum.

Secondary students and under 25's enter as individuals choosing from five categories: Sustainability, Business Enterprise, Design & Technology, Social Enterprise & Creative Industries. Designed to fold seamlessly into the work already being done in the classrooms, the teacher’s information packs even come with curriculum mapping.

Not forgetting hard-working teachers, there’s even an award that recognises educators who have developed and implemented innovative ideas that have significantly impacted teaching and learning outcomes in the classroom.

The awards are sponsored by Ampcontrol, Hunter Water, Newcastle Airport, University of Newcastle I2N, intouch Magazine and Spectrum Communications. Winners take home $1000 and an opportunity for business mentorship. Runners-up receive $500.

Entries for the awards are now open, with further details to be found at www.ybma.com.au.