Although the MoneyTree Idea eXchange (MIX) challenge only managed to present entries from one category, instead of the proposed two, it was evident that there is a level of interest a-buzzing, as there was a solid turnout that night. Seven teams presented their ideas to solve problems faced by a sponsor company, and lo! One team impressed them all, walking away with RM 1500.

Here's a question, dear readers: How does a luxury coach service increase the number of booked seats during off-peak periods, and how will they tap into the youth market to attract them to use their services?

Odyssey, a first-class coach service specializing in trips from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore (and vice versa), asked the very same question of the seven teams that participated in the MoneyTree Idea eXchange Odyssey Challenge, held last week at PJ Live Arts (PJLA) and they were presented with both good and bad ideas.

However, team Entrée - Jolene Sim Hui Ching, Hoh Kar Ming and Tan Su Zhen - managed to impress the judges the most, and walked away RM 2000 richer that day. Combining corporate social responsibility (CSR) elements with a financially solid proposition, they blew the judges away with their 'Make a Child Happy' campaign, which was aimed at filling up the seats on off-peak periods with charity and goodwill from the existing customers.

Their idea took Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Odyssey Luxury Coaches, Wan Adlan and Ahmad Razmy by storm, and impressed even David Vicary, Key Leader of Global Islamic Finance, Deloitte, who was harsh on most of the participants that night.

As each team only had three-and-a-half minutes to pitch their ideas and five minutes to answer a brutal Q&A, this was no easy task for any of the contestants. But no matter the task ahead, this is what MIX strives to do - be a platform for employers to tap the brightest minds and give the young a chance to showcase their ideas.

"We launched MIX to give students a platform to showcase their talents and abilities in pitching their business ideas to investors and employers," said Chief Executive Officer of MoneyTree Malaysia, Brandon Liew. "We wanted to provide them with an avenue to be able to stand up and shine."

MIX is a monthly affair, so keep an eye out for this space!