Who Has Yorkshire's Best Idea?
DRAGONS' Den meets The Apprentice as the search for the best creative business ideas and the most talented entrepreneurs in Yorkshire and Humberside is launched this week.
Budding creative entrepreneurs from across the region are being given the chance to turn their big idea into a big business.
Some of the area's most successful entrepreneurs in the creative industries will help select the region's most enterprising creative graduates.
The search, headed the Insight Out programme, is run by CIDA (Creative Industries Development Agency) in partnership with NESTA (National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts) and supported by the University of Leeds , University of Hull and The Media Centre in Huddersfield .
Up to 20 creative graduates will be selected to participate on the programme, each of whom will receive £1,000 to undergo an intensive training programme in which they will receive expert guidance on how to turn their idea into a thriving business. Then they will go before a final panel of experts to try and secure up to £5,000 to help make their dream a reality.
Insight Out is open to anyone who has graduated in a subject related to the creative industries in the last five years, including music, fashion, media, design, performing arts, metalwork, graphics, textiles, ceramics and photography.
"There's an extraordinary wealth of talent in the creative sector in Yorkshire and Humberside and this is a superb opportunity to tap into expertise and funding to turn your dream into a sustainable creative business," said Anamaria Wills, chief executive officer of CIDA .
"It may be a business idea, an invention, a creation – we are open to the imagination of Yorkshire and Humberside."
One of the experts involved in Insight Out is Jay Cousins, whose idea for 'Flatworld' - flatpack plastic cups, plates and even dinner sets - led to the founding of Orikaso, which sells across the world from its base in Sheffield ( www.orikaso.com ).
Jay appeared on Dragons Den but turned down offers from the Dragons as he felt they wanted too much of the business in return for their investment.
He is seen as 'one that got away' and will be appearing on a Dragons' Den follow-up programme later this year which will chart the huge success he has had.
Other Insight Out experts are Stephen Armitage from Myfotowall Ltd, whose idea to turn people's favourite photographs into wallpaper has led to the successful myfotowall.com based in Huddersfield, and Martyn Walsh from the band Inspiral Carpets, who found fame during the Madchester scene of the late '80s and early '90s and who have just completed a tour. Martyn is also a music consultant and mentor for up-and-coming bands and musicians.
Application forms for the Insight Out programme can be downloaded at www.creativeportal.org and selecting the Insight Out option or from Shameela Hussain, Programme Officer, Business Growth at CIDA on 01484 483 142.