Search Underway For Belfast's Best Business Idea

The search is on to find Belfast's best business idea, with a council support programme and cash prize on offer.

A support package worth over £3,000 will be awarded to the overall winner to kick start their business idea, with nine months of Innovation Factory membership, nine months of free accountancy services from Pacem and a free place on the Digital Marketing Communications course at Ulster University.

Two runners up of the Belfast Business Idea Award will receive the prestigious support package, with the main winner also awarded a £2,500 cash prize.

Applications for the competition, ran by Belfast City Council, are due in by noon on Tuesday 31 October. All entrants will be invited to a finalists night next month, when the three winning ideas will be announced and each winner given 120 seconds to pitch for the overall £2,500 cash prize. The competition is open to those who have a business idea but have not yet acted on it, those who are in the process of starting-up and those who are in business and have been trading for less than one year. Applicants must be over 16 years old and reside within the Belfast City Council area or a have a business registered in Belfast.

Deputy Lord Mayor Councillor Peter McReynolds launched the initiative along with Aisling Press from Danske Bank and Daniel Glover from Pacem Accounting & Tax Advisory.

Speaking at the launch, the Deputy Lord Mayor explained: "The prize pool for the Belfast Business Idea Award is outstanding and will make a real difference to early stage businesses and those thinking of taking the next step with their idea. I would encourage people who have a business idea, or those who have already started up and have been trading for less than one year, to take the time to enter the award via our simple online application."

Submit your entry and find further competition details online.