A group of ambitious young people from across North Essex have been recognised for their entrepreneurial talent at the Fast Track Challenge Awards, the finale of a six-week online programme run by Earniversity in collaboration with the North Essex Economic Board (NEEB).
Running from 11th March to 8th May, the Fast Track Challenge provided 39 students aged 16–30 a head start in business, finance, and employability through immersive learning and real-world earning opportunities. The participants from five schools and colleges in North Essex, collectively earned £13,000 over the course of the programme.
The programme’s virtual awards evening celebrated the outstanding efforts of the young entrepreneurs, with special recognition given to 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)
• 💰 Highest Earner: Mika Davies (The Beaulieu Park School), who made an impressive £1,407 reselling books and clothing.
Other students, including Oliver Warnsbey, Daisy-Mae, Lila James, and Ryan Owens, were awarded honourable mentions for creativity, engagement, and earnings.
The Fast Track Challenge, run by Earniversity, offered an immersive digital learning experience, blending live coaching, interactive workshops, and real-world earning activities. Over the course of the programme, students explored content creation, reselling, freelancing, public speaking, and more, backed by expert mentorship and a vibrant online community.
Student testimonials reflected the programme’s impact:
“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
“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
The Fast Track Challenge will return in October 2025, offering more young people the opportunity to learn and earn.
To register, visit: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScTtyfXz_zUd_2V0lYKS4LeprkUIekGVw5hakjcrpcz3uivPg/viewform
“These young changemakers haven’t just learned entrepreneurship—they’ve lived it,” said Rushani Mahendran, Chief Learning Officer at Earniversity. “This is what future-ready education looks like.”
