Fast Track Challenge Awards: Celebrating Young Entrepreneurs Across North Essex
Fast Track Challenge Awards: Celebrating Young Entrepreneurs Across North Essex
NEEB, in partnership with Earniversity, is proud to share the success of the Earniversity Fast Track Challenge, which concluded in May 2025 after an inspiring six-week programme aimed at empowering young people across North Essex.
Designed for 16–30-year-olds, the Fast Track Challenge delivered more than just lessons, it offered a practical, digital-first experience in entrepreneurship, employability, and financial literacy. From 11th March to 8th May, 39 students from five schools and colleges across North Essex took part, ultimately earning a combined total of £13,000 through a mix of reselling, freelancing, content creation, and other side hustles.
The programme came to a conclusion via a virtual awards ceremony that recognised several standout students:
- Top Achiever: Robbie Roots (St John Payne School)
- Community Leader: Fiyin Folarin (The Beaulieu Park School)
- Best Final Project: Emmanuel Ranieri (The Sixth Form College) – who grew a LinkedIn following by 500 in just 10 days
- Highest Earner: Mika Davies (The Beaulieu Park School) – earning £1,407 through reselling
Other exceptional contributors included Oliver Warnsbey, Daisy-Mae, Lila James, and Ryan Owens.
A Platform for Growth
Beyond the awards, the programme’s impact was seen in the confidence, skill development, and ambition students gained. Live coaching, peer-to-peer sessions, and expert mentorship gave students a realistic introduction to self-employment and business ownership.
Student highlights included:
“During this course I started a Vinted account which is something I’ve bene thinking about for a while but had never actually acted on, so due to the course, it prompted me to actually start and within a few weeks I made £94. Going forward, I want to expand my knowledge – In fact, i’m hoping to put these skills to good use and actually start my own art business. I definitely recommend Earniversity to other young people.”
Lila Davies – Colchester College sixth form – 18
“I most enjoyed the online interactive coaching sessions led by Dene Botha. Having an experienced professional teaching us was the most beneficial part. I have started an in-person side hustle which I am hoping to continue making money from. Some skills I have learnt is SEO, how to create an online post and what freelancing is. This course will benefit me in the long run as it has taught me entrepreneurial skills that I can apply in my future career.”
Edward Warnsby, 17, Maldon
“Thank you so much for the wonderful course — I really enjoyed every part of it! It has been a pleasure to be part of the NEEB business course — thank you so much for selecting me! Every lesson was fun, packed with useful activities, and I learned so many cool things about business and teamwork. I now have so much knowledge about business and feel more confident to start a business in the future. I’m really grateful to the group and all the teachers for making it exciting and easy to understand. Thanks again for teaching me so much!”
Milana Tripac
“For my Entrepreneurship I have roughly earnt around £500-£600 pounds and have many more jobs booked in for the next couple of months. I am hoping with this course under my belt I can use these new and refined skills to grow my working empire and aim for the moooon!”
Oliver Warnsbey, Colchester College sixth form – 17
What’s Next?
Following this successful spring cohort, Earniversity will return in October 2025 with a new six-week programme. NEEB continues to champion initiatives that bridge the gap between education and employment, preparing the next generation of workers, founders, and innovators.
Interested in joining the next challenge?
Register for Earniversity here
