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Founded by the Business Studies Department in 2015, the Headmaster’s Business Awards have grown into a dynamic and much-anticipated fixture in the Shiplake College calendar.
Each year, pupils work in small teams to develop a new, marketable product or service aligned with an annual theme. The competition encourages creativity, innovation, and strategic thinking, all while honing valuable skills such as teamwork, communication, and critical analysis.
More than just a business competition, the Headmaster’s Business Awards provide students with an exciting platform to explore real-world enterprise. It’s a celebration of entrepreneurial spirit and the bright ideas of Shiplake’s next generation of leaders.
This Year's Brief: Reimagining Marjorie’s Café
The Headmaster is keen to promote enterprise within the College and has invited all students to reimagine Marjorie’s Cafe and come up with a money-making business idea. It can be a change of use, or a creation of a new product or service that could be sold there to benefit Shiplake and/or it’s wider community.
Pupils can sign up for the competition here.
As pupils begin shaping their own business ideas, we are delighted to share the journey of two Old Vikings who are at the beginning of building their own business - Niblie - the app that lets you scan your fridge and get suggestions for what to make with the contents.
Alexander Erb and Isaac Dean are in the process of doing exactly what the Headmaster's Business Awards are designed to inspire: identifying a real-world problem, building a solution and pursuing it with passion and ambition.
Throughout the competition, Alexander and Isaac will be sharing insights into their start-up journey to offer pupils a powerful, real-time example of what it takes to turn an idea into a viable business.
You can find out more about Niblie via the kickstarter here.
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I’m Alexander. Co-Founder of Niblie.
I’ve always been an "all-in" kind of guy. I don’t believe in doing anything halfway—if I’m diving in, I’m diving into the deep end. It’s that mindset that took me from a novice to the highest-performing rowing club in the country in just a year. Now I dream bigger. My real drive comes from a simpler place: I want to help change the world. It hurts to see the global health crisis getting worse, and it bothers me that so many people feel overwhelmed by something as fundamental as feeding themselves well.
I wouldn’t be where I am today if I didn’t hold myself to a high standard, and I've learned that success starts with a positive cycle: fueling your body well. When we are fueled properly, we can all work at our highest standards. By being more efficient with my nutrition, I’ve been able to excel in my academic achievements and personal life alongside elite sport. Niblie is designed to give you that same time and clarity back. We create a menu based on exactly what you have in your fridge—no need to think, no room for stress, just execute. With that, I hope you want to change the world with us.
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I'm Isaac, Co-Founder of Niblie.
My background is in elite sport. I'm a 2025 World Champion rower and Henley Royal Regatta winner. That experience taught me that standards matter, and I am fully committed to bringing the same obsession with speed and quality to this app.
The light-bulb moment for Niblie didn't come from the boat; it came from my Mum. She's a teacher, and after a long day, the question of "What's for dinner?" became a source of great stress for her. I realised Al could change that.
I didn't just want to remove the stress; I wanted to bring the excitement back to the kitchen.
Niblie is built to make life easier. We are designing a tool that handles the guesswork so you can focus on enjoying great food that is healthy and low-waste.
