A PLYMOUTH polar explorer has plotted a new course for his educational enterprise after winning a challenge.

Antony Jinman, far right, won the University of Plymouth 2011 Business Ideas Challenge by braving a 'dragons' den' of business experts to secure the £1,000 first prize. He has also secured an extensive support package for his Education Through Expeditions venture.

ETE provides an educational web-based platform that enables educators and students to access first person accounts and eye witness reports from explorers and researchers in locations around the world.

It aims to inspire students of all ages to follow their own aspirations in life.

Antony said: "The mentoring and support provided by the Business Ideas Challenge has really helped me to develop Education Through Expeditions and formulate a plan as to how we can take it to the next level. Over the past 12 months we have built the business and signed up a number of schools.

"Delivering a sales pitch to the dragons was a very different type of challenge for me and the process also gave me a good insight into what investors are looking for.

"I'm now looking to secure private investment so that we reach out to hundreds of institutions, and connect pupils with researchers and explorers around the world and in real time."