Staff and students at Warwickshire College had a hectic “entrepreneurial week”.

It all kicked off when Julie Meyer, the founder of Ariadne Capital and a Dragon in the BBC’s online Dragons’ Den, visited the college’s Rugby centre. She talked to students before receiving business pitches from two groups from the college’s Peter Jones Enterprise Academy.

In her speech she stressed that the new world of venture capitalism was not about who had the money, but about entrepreneurs and ideas.

Student Lucy Ward, 17, said: “I thought it was really inspirational. I learned about how she planned as she went along and not be in the mindset of making money, just to do everything step-by-step.”

Other areas of the college also took on the enterprise spirit with great enthusiasm.

Construction students won a bid to refurbish old sash windows at Moreton Morrell, m otor maintenance students offered winter car checks and valeting services, and art students raised nearly £1,000 at an arts bazaar.

There was also the opportunity for students to get information on business start-up loans, get involved in workshops on setting up businesses, and take part in networking events.