Students interested in the business world are having their skills and knowledge tested as they take part in the two day Mashup competiton.

The event, which is being held at the Bongard Centre at the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic, began today with the 12 teams receiving an information pack, which included a list of business scenarios based around the main sponsors of the event.

Otumoetai College students Alexia Grindle, Hannah Buist-Bainbridge, Samantha Grindle and Stevie Grondin. Photos: Tracy Hardy.

Mashup coordinator Bruce Fraser says students have to choose from one of the scenarios and create their ‘Mashup'.

Today students had to create a business plan, which Bruce says they had to have emailed in by morning tea time and before they went to lunch they had to email in their marketing plan.

'They've got a whole series of mentors - IT, business and marketing people who've volunteered from the business community and their working with the students on any hitches they may encounter.”

Bruce says students have until 2pm on Sunday to get their presentations together and then at 2.30pm they do their presentation.

'They've got four minutes to do their pitch to the client as you would in a business sense.

'In that time they have to explain to the client how they would mean the business need, which is set out in the scenario, what their Mashup will look like and it how it will answer the challenge that's in the business scenario.”

Team Alcairdazar design members Ryan Bosch, Troy McKeown and Haylem Rayner from Mount Maunganui College.

Samuel Keast, Domonique Panettiere and Tyler Middleton from Querty with mentor Jon Edney.

Mentor Samdanae Imran talks with Karl Schlegeul and Cameron Paterson from team Ten Teds.

Quentin Quaadgras and Steven Brining from team Solid Impact.