Cookstown High App team win £4k bursary

The GTracks team with the Duke of York at the IDEA awards in London.

In June, the team entered The Duke of York and Nominent Trust Inspiring Digital Enterprise Award (IDEA).

This award aims to develop the skills needed to turn young people’s ideas into a digital business.

The team made up of students Joel Cuddy, Anona Weir, Daniel Weir, Vincent Wong and Toby Chan reached the live finals of this national award and pitched their ideas and future plans to a panel of judges in Sales Force Tower London, followed by an awards reception in Buckingham Palace hosted by the Duke of York.

Although unsuccessful in gaining the overall grand prize of £15,000 the team took away a bursary of £4,000 which they are going to use to invest in further training and technology.

The team’s journey is far from over as they plan to develop further apps for tourism sites in the Mid-Ulster area and are seeking investment to develop a platform that would allow tourists to share their own location based content.

Speaking about GTracks success, mentor/teacher Mr Robert Johnston told the MAIL: “With community support and investment we have the talent in our schools which can compete on a national stage.”

GTracks member Joel told the MAIL: “Before this company started I had no app development experience, no form of business knowledge and wasn’t a confident speaker. Since then we have pitched to high profile business men including His Royal Highness the Duke of  York, created a strong company with a great brand and have created our first app all in 12 months.

“Our idea for a the GTracks platform has the potential to revolutionise the tourist industry and  it will.”