Three entrepreneurial high school students are working to get a spot at an expo in Dubai.

The trio, who attend Bayfield High School in Dunedin, started a business last year selling an acne treatment made from the Iranian barberry.

Business has been booming, and Abalro Health is now one of five businesses competing for a place at Expo 2020 next year.

Robert Donohoe, 17-year-old the chief executive of Abalro Health, told Heather du Plessis-Allan they are part of the Global Kaitiakitanga Project that sees them receive mentorship. 

"In September, that will culminate in a 'Dragon's Den' style pitch, where the winning team will get to go to Dubai."

He says that their production director read research about the berry and sought it out due to the evidence of its impact on acne. 

"University studies have found that barberries are able to reduce acne by up to 43 percent in just the first month of daily use." 

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