Mentoring: To Athens and back

Last week, I had the incredible opportunity of accompanying ArthEsy, the Junior Achievement (JA) team I've been mentoring,  to Athens for Junior Achievement Gen-E 2025 - the largest entrepreneurship event for young people in Europe. 

Held over several days between 1st and 3rd July, Gen-E 2025 brought together more than 800 students, teachers, mentors and business leaders from across the continent, all gathering to celebrate youth-led innovation, purpose-driven business, and the power of entrepreneurship. 

Taking ArthEsy to Europe

Representing the Island on an international stage, the team competed against over 40 other national winners from across Europe. The standard was exceptionally high, with impressive creativity and professionalism on display from every team. From ID verification tools being used by Interpol to climate-conscious renewable materials, the scale and ambition of the competition was truly inspiring and a real reminder of how entrepreneurial thinking and innovation is thriving among the next generation. I think we're all in very safe hands for the future!

The ArthEsy team, made up of five AS-Level students from Ballakermeen High School, was selected in March to represent the Isle of Man as the national winner of Student Company of the Year. Their assistive products for people living with arthritis - born from a personal story and developed through community feedback - stood out for their social value, accessibility, and simplicity.

They worked incredibly hard in the lead-up to the event, refining their presentation, creating their trade stand, and preparing for questions from an international panel of judges and guests. With such fierce competition in Europe, they rose to the challenge and on 30th June, we packed our suitcases and set off to Athens. 

Proudly representing the Isle of Man

Once we'd landed and settled in, it was straight into the thick of it on 1st July. From the get-go, the team were proud to represent the Isle of Man and over the course of the event, they spoke to dozens of visitors, judges and fellow students - both about our Island and their solutions.

They explained the inspiration behind their business, the feedback that shaped the product design, and their vision for growing the business in future. They were open, thoughtful, and authentic – and carried themselves with a maturity well beyond their years. Their ability to pitch clearly and confidently - while also communicating the deeper social impact of their work - was something I was particularly proud of.

The team represented the Isle of Man with professionalism, warmth and resilience - qualities that were noted and admired by many who visited their stand or watched their presentation. While they may not have brought home the big trophy this time, I was very proud of how they comported themselves in everything they did. 

However, they didn't come home empty-handed. Guy McGuinness, ArthEsy's team leader, won a JA Europe Alumni Leadership Award, chosen from across both secondary and university-level companies. Only six students across Europe received this honour and I couldn't have been prouder to see Guy among them. I had the privilege of writing his award submission, which was an easy task given the natural leadership skills and passion which made him an ideal candidate for a JA Alumni. Above all, it was incredibly rewarding to see his hard work, calm leadership and dedication formally recognised at a European level. 

More than just business

Outside the competition, we had time to explore some of incredible history that Athens has to offer. One of the highlights of the trip was a warm (very warm!) afternoon visiting the Parthenon and Acropolis with the team. Despite the 36°C heat, the boys somehow still had energy for team photos and taking in the history from one of the most iconic sites in Europe – though perhaps less so for the long uphill climb...

Beyond the sights and the competition, the trip also offered numerous opportunities for connection and learning in some iconic settings including the Hellenic Cosmos Cultural Centre and the Zappeion Megaron (an open-air stately hall built in the 1880s for the first modern Olympic games!)

Even though it was only a three-day event, the team packed in a lot. They attended workshops, listened to keynote speakers, and met other students from across Europe who were just as passionate about making a difference through business. Despite the competition, it was a chance to share ideas, make new friends, and gain a broader view of how young people like themselves are tackling real-world problems in creative and meaningful ways. 

Why mentoring matters

For me, as a first-time mentor, this experience has been nothing short of inspiring. Having worked with the team since September last year, and watching their journey from a rough product idea to confidently presenting at a major European event has been a privilege. I couldn’t imagine anything like it when I was 17 and the growth in each of the team, both personally and professionally, has been incredible to see.

I’ve seen five students go from a concept on paper to building a real business with purpose, and their confidence, collaboration and problem-solving skills have flourished in ways that can’t be taught in a classroom.

Throughout my mentoring journey, I’ve learned it’s not about having all the answers. It’s about supporting, encouraging and building an environment where young people can explore their ideas and grow as individuals. Yes, there are days where you’re not quite sure how to help - but on these days, even just lending an ear to listen to them can have a big impact.

At PDMS, we’re passionate about using our time and skills to make a difference, and mentoring through Junior Achievement is one way to do just that. Whether it’s volunteering time, sharing knowledge or simply offering encouragement, the act of mentoring can have a lasting effect – not just on students, but on mentors too. I know I’ll remember this experience for a long time to come and I’m sure the ArthEsy team will each go on to do great things, bolstered by the positive experiences they’ve had here.

Final thoughts

Taking part in Gen-E in Athens was a reminder of the power of mentorship and the real-world impact of initiatives like the Junior Achievement Company Programme, which is so much more than a competition. It’s not just about business ideas. It’s a launchpad for confidence, collaboration, and learning by doing.

The ArthEsy team may be finishing their journey with Junior Achievement, but the lessons they’ve learned and the impact they’ve made will stay with them long after we returned home.

For anyone considering getting involved as a mentor, I couldn’t recommend it more. You don’t need to be a business expert - just someone who believes in young people and wants to help them grow. You’ll be amazed at what the students (and you!) can achieve - and just how much you’ll learn along the way too.

To find out more about the power of mentoring, check out our previous blog on Celebrating the power of volunteering with ArthEsy