The business model canvas competition was an event organised within our school, wherein I was within one of the shortlisted teams. The main idea of the competition was similar to shark tank, where we had a shark and has to present out business pitch in front of of them. Our business pitch was an online application consisting on an AI fashion stylist, which various other features of the application making it more engaging. We decided a company name, a business plan , an investment ask, and other necessary details planned out for our business.

Learning Outcomes

I could connect the business model canvas to 2 learning outcomes, ‘LO2: Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process’, and ‘LO5: Demonstrate the skills and recognize the benefits of working collaboratively’. Starting with the second learning outcome, the most challenging part of this competition was crafting a compelling business pitch within the constraints of time and resources, as it demanded a deep understanding of market research, financial planning, and AI integration. It was particularly difficult because I had never worked on a detailed business model or presented in front of an investor-like panel before. Overcoming these challenges required thorough preparation, collaboration with my team, and actively seeking feedback to refine our ideas. We divided responsibilities, researched thoroughly, and practiced our pitch multiple times to gain confidence. Although we encountered hurdles like aligning our perspectives and balancing creativity with feasibility, our teamwork and persistence helped us push through. Undertaking this challenge was both exhilarating and rewarding, as it pushed me out of my comfort zone and introduced me to entrepreneurial thinking. Through this experience, I discovered my aptitude for public speaking and creative problem-solving, which were new skills for me. These abilities will undoubtedly benefit me in future professional and academic scenarios, boosting my confidence and enhancing my adaptability. Learning new skills is vital as it broadens our horizons, builds self-confidence, and equips us to tackle diverse challenges effectively.

LO3: Although I was not responsible for planning the entire CAS experience, I played a key role in planning how our team would present our business idea. I helped decide what ideas to highlight, how to structure the pitch, and how to present the financial and technical details. By taking initiative in organizing these aspects, I actively contributed to shaping the experience, ensuring that our presentation was coherent, engaging, and well-prepared. This demonstrates my ability to plan and initiate a part of a CAS experience, even within a collaborative team setting. Moreover, I actively engages with thw competition as well taking initiaive to present ideas, to practive my pitch and interact witht the shark pane.

Talking about the learning outcome 5, working with others is generally easy for me, as I value communication, active listening, and shared goals. During this activity, collaboration was both smooth and challenging at times. While most team members were cooperative, there were moments when differing opinions on the business model led to minor conflicts. I handled this by promoting open discussions, encouraging compromise, and ensuring that everyone felt heard, which also increased my leadership skills overall. Collaboration was crucial because it allowed us to leverage our diverse strengths, from technical expertise to creative thinking, resulting in a comprehensive pitch. Teamwork and leadership were pivotal to our success, as we delegated tasks based on individual skills and supported each other throughout. The synergy within our team not only made the process enjoyable but also underscored the importance of collective effort in achieving ambitious goals.

Takeaway

Through the business model canvas competition, I developed several learner profile characteristics, including being a thinker, communicator, and risk-taker. This activity directly linked to my interest in communication design, as creating a business pitch required visually appealing presentations and innovative problem-solving, which are essential elements of the field. The activity benefited others by presenting a creative solution—an AI fashion stylist—that could make personalized fashion accessible and engaging. The highlight of the experience was presenting our pitch to the “shark” and receiving positive feedback on our innovative ideas. This process challenged my perspectives, especially regarding the practical challenges of entrepreneurship, and it deepened my respect for teamwork and innovation. The skills I learned, such as public speaking, collaboration, and financial planning, could help my community by encouraging entrepreneurial thinking.

TOK connection

The choices and actions taken during the business model canvas competition demonstrated empathy, compassion, and respect for others by ensuring that every team member’s ideas were heard and valued, fostering a collaborative environment. This CAS experience encouraged me to become a genuine inquirer as I delved into understanding market trends, user behavior, and the technical feasibility of our AI fashion stylist. It demanded both creative and critical thinking, as we needed to balance innovation with practicality to craft a compelling and viable business plan. Ethical considerations arose when deciding on the inclusivity of our application and the potential environmental impact of our services, prompting us to adopt a principled approach to decision-making. The competition also provided a platform for intellectual and physical risk-taking in a supportive environment, as it pushed us to pitch bold ideas to a panel of experts while refining our teamwork and presentation skills.