Kiwi econ-student turns JELLY into sporting energy

Sam Dickinson knows all about necessity being the mother of invention - a doze in economics class led him to solution for staying awake and turning a dollar.

The energy jelly - named ENERJELLY - created by Sam and fellow Hutt International Boys' School pupils Andrew Parkin, 17, Matt Molloy, 18, and Jarod Williamson, 17, was showcased at the Gadgets, Games and Geeks techfest in Wellington on Monday.

In May, they signed up to the Chamber of Commerce's Young Enterprise Scheme but struggled to find a business idea.

Inspiration came as they were dozing in the classroom. "For all its usefulness, economics is a really boring topic. We were sitting in class falling asleep, as you do, then we talked about it afterwards. You can't really get energy drinks into class but this is half food."

They bought bulk taurine - commonly used in energy drinks - and experimented with preservatives, gelatines and flavours before settling on a recipe.

After guidance from the Food Safety Authority, the jelly met the standards for caffeinated beverages and food preparation.

Sam, 17, said there were no other energy jellies on the market and he had many comments on their "refreshing" strawberry and rasberry flavours.

Packed with vitamin C and the same amount of energy as a can of V, they were also a lot safer than the concentrated energy shots that caused a Heretaunga College pupil to collapse this month.

Though handy for high school or university students, the jelly would also be perfect for exhausted office workers trying to get through the day, Sam said.

With some investment, the boys planned to ramp up production and sell the jellies at dairies and supermarkets for about $NZ1.50 each.

SOURCE: www.stuff.co.nz