BUDDING tycoons have been urged to come up with some bright ideas - and win money to help launch themselves into business.
A competition - dubbed Ideas Idol - is being run by Business Mine, based at Huddersfield University.
Students and graduates with good ideas will be invited to make their sales "pitch" to a small audience of other finalists and mentors from Business Mine.
The best applicants will go on to present their ideas to a panel of judges, including Prof John Thompson, of the university's business school, and several business professionals.
They will also get a Dragon's Den-style grilling in a brief question and answer session.
The winner will get £!,000 to go towards his or her business.
They will also get professional business support in areas such as personal mentoring, help with incorporation, marketing and public relations, bookkeeping and routes to finance.
Amanda Lennon, a mentor based at Business Mine, said: "The idea does not have to be unique, but may have an unusual feature or angle that makes it different.
"It may be a revolutionary use for an old product - or a new product for an everyday task."
Ms Lennon said making a sales pitch was an important tool in any entrepreneur's armoury.
The final will be held on December 1 at the university.
The Business Mine, based at Brunswick House, provides facilities and support for students to research and "try out" their business ideas.
It provides free use of computers and broadband internet and free telephone and fax.
There is also help from a personal business mentor who can advise on turning a good idea into a viable commercial opportunity.
Business Mine members can also get help on funding a start-up and free access to boardroom and conference facilities along with access ti research sources and a business library.
Business Mine is part of the university's efforts to foster enterepreneurial flair among students and provide them with incentives to stay in the town when they launch their businesses - generating wealth for Huddersfield as well as themselves.
