How a Cypriot Teen Team Turned Personal Safety into Historic Success
From a deeply personal need to navigate social settings safely, a team of high school girls from Cyprus created HerShield—a discreet lip gloss case featuring integrated drug-testing strips. By blending everyday cosmetics with practical safety, HerShield bridges the gap between style and protection. Following a historic podium finish as 3rd place winners at the European Gen-E competition, the student entrepreneurs behind HerShield share the inspiration, challenges, and ambitious future of their groundbreaking venture.
How did the idea for developing your smart discreet drug-detection lip gloss case come about? What specific gap or problem in the market did you set out to solve?
The idea for HerShield came from recognizing how common drink spiking and personal safety concerns have become, especially for women in social settings. As a team made up mostly of teenage girls, this issue feels very personal to us. Whenever we go out, staying aware of our surroundings and worrying about drink tampering is something many of us have experienced firsthand.
We realized that although products such as drug-testing strips and personal safety devices already exist, they are often inconvenient, easy to forget, or too obvious to use in public. We wanted to create a solution that people could carry every day without attracting attention.
By integrating drug-detection strips into a discreet lip gloss case, HerShield makes personal safety both accessible and practical. Users can quickly test their drink without drawing unwanted attention, allowing them to feel more confident while enjoying social events. Our goal was to bridge the gap between personal safety and everyday convenience by creating a product that is stylish, discreet, and easy to use. Rather than reacting to emergencies, HerShield empowers people to take proactive steps to protect themselves.
What was the biggest challenge you faced during the design and development of your product (such as the chemical testing and aesthetic design for HerShield)?
The biggest challenge was balancing accurate chemical testing with a user-friendly and discreet design. We needed to ensure that the testing strips could reliably detect harmful substances while creating a product that was compact, portable, aesthetically appealing, and discreet enough to blend seamlessly into everyday life. At the same time, we had to keep the strips protected from contamination without compromising the look or functionality of the lip gloss. Through repeated testing, prototyping, and user feedback, we refined HerShield into a product that is both trustworthy and practical for everyday use.
Cyprus made history in Riga as the only country with two teams on the podium. How did you feel when the results were announced, and what does this European recognition mean to you?
This was an incredible opportunity for our team, and we are extremely proud of how much we have grown over the past few months. We are truly grateful to have achieved 3rd place in Europe, and even more grateful that, throughout the competition, we reached a point where we genuinely believed we could even achieve 1st place. That confidence alone shows how far we have come.
Beyond our own achievement, we are especially proud because this is the first time Cyprus has had a team on the European Gen-E podium. It is also the first time a Cypriot team has reached the podium in the Upper Secondary Business Track category, making this a truly historic moment for our country.
If we had the chance to repeat this incredible journey, we wouldn’t think twice the answer would definitely be yes. This experience brought our team closer together, challenged us to grow both personally and professionally, and reminded us that dedication, teamwork, and hard work truly pay off.
What was your experience interacting with over 1,000 young entrepreneurs from more than 40 countries at the festival? Was there a specific moment or piece of feedback from the judges that stood out to you?
The Gen-E experience was truly unforgettable for our team. It gave us the opportunity to meet more than 1,000 young entrepreneurs from over 40 countries, each with unique ideas, stories, and ambitions. Beyond the competition itself, the most valuable part of the experience was the people we met. We exchanged ideas, learned from each other’s journeys, and built friendships that we believe will last a lifetime.
Gen-E strengthened our confidence in HerShield’s vision and motivated us to continue pursuing our goals. It reminded us that entrepreneurship is not only about creating innovative products but also about learning, collaborating, and growing alongside others who share the same passion.
One piece of feedback that really stood out came from a judge who saw strong potential in HerShield. They encouraged us to begin obtaining all the necessary certifications and ensuring compliance with EU regulations before entering the market. That advice reinforced the importance of building trust and prioritizing safety, reminding us that transforming an innovative idea into a successful business requires both creativity and strong regulatory foundations.
We would encourage every young entrepreneur to embrace opportunities like Gen-E. The knowledge, connections, and experiences you gain can truly shape your future.
You won 3rd place in Europe at the high school level. How did you manage to balance your daily school obligations and exams with the intense demands of such a highly competitive program?
Balancing school and HerShield was definitely a challenge at first. As high school students, we had to manage classes, exams, extracurricular activities, and the demands of running a company at the same time. However, we quickly learned that good organization and clear communication were the key. We carefully planned our schedules, found meeting times that worked for everyone, and adapted whenever our academic responsibilities increased.
When exam season arrived, we didn’t have to pause our journey. Instead, we adjusted our workload, supported one another, and continued moving forward. There were moments when we genuinely asked ourselves, “Is this really possible?” and “Can we really balance everything?” But those challenges only made us stronger as a team.
Looking back, we’re incredibly proud that we never gave up. This experience taught us valuable lessons about time management, teamwork, and perseverance, and seeing the results of our hard work made every sacrifice worthwhile.
What are the next steps for your company? Are there concrete plans to commercially launch the HerShield case in the market?
Yes, we have specific plans that we hope to implement in the short term. Our first priority is to obtain all the necessary certifications and complete the legal procedures required to officially establish HerShield as a company. Once that is achieved, we plan to collaborate with a manufacturing company to ensure consistent production, maintain high quality standards, and operate more professionally.This will also allow us to move forward with the collaboration opportunities we have already received from both Cyprus and Greece. In the meantime, we will continue growing our presence on social media, raising awareness about our mission, and, depending on our production capacity, expanding the number of orders we can accept through our website.In the long term, our vision is to expand HerShield internationally and continuously innovate our product. One of our future goals is to integrate technology, such as a discreet panic button, to provide users with an additional layer of protection. We want HerShield to grow from a successful student initiative into a global brand that empowers people and makes personal safety more accessible.
What advice would you give to other university students in Cyprus who might be hesitant to take the leap into youth entrepreneurship and participate in Junior Achievement programs?
If I could give one piece of advice to university students in Cyprus who are hesitant to take the leap into youth entrepreneurship and participate in Junior Achievement programmes, it would be this: don’t let the opportunity pass you by. Choosing to participate is a personal decision, but it is one that requires consistency, commitment, and the willingness to keep learning. Every person’s journey is different, and each one is filled with new experiences, valuable lessons, and opportunities for growth.Stepping into entrepreneurship is a risk because, for most people, it means leaving their comfort zone. But that’s exactly where growth happens. We believe life is about taking risks, developing new skills, and discovering what you’re capable of. Sometimes, the biggest risk isn’t trying and failing, it’s never taking the opportunity in the first place. Junior Achievement opens doors that can truly change your life, and our journey is proof of that. If you have the chance, take it, you never know where it might lead.
