Shropshire Star

The hunt is on to find a fantastic new invention or business idea in Shropshire and its borders.

If you’ve got a potential money-spinner but lack the financial backing to get it off the ground, Star Idea could be for you.

The Shropshire Star launched this Dragon’s Den-style competition last year and it proved such a hit that it’s back for 2008.

Star Idea aims to recognise an inventor, entrepreneur or local person who has developed a recipe for commercial success, but needs cash and expert support to make it happen.

It could be an idea scribbled on the back of a beer mat, or a sophisticated product ready to go on the market. All we ask is that the idea is accompanied by some kind of business plan.

Last year’s winner was Lisa Pickering from Hadley in Telford, who designed a range of “growing” greetings cards - biodegradable cards which can be planted in the ground and grow into flowers or shrubs.

An expert panel will select their three favourite entries, which will be presented to up to 700 guests at this year’s Shropshire Business Awards finals night in June, when the audience will vote for the winner.

The prize is a guaranteed £5,000 to help get the Star Idea off the ground.

HOW TO ENTER: Tell us, in no more than 300 words, about your Star Idea. Include any drawings, pictures or background information you feel may be appropriate, and say how you believe it has the potential to be a commercial success, and what you would do with the prize. Make sure you add your name, address, and phone or e-mail contact details.

SEND YOUR ENTRIES TO: Star Idea, Features Desk, Shropshire Star, Ketley, Telford, TF1 5HU. The closing date for applications is Friday, May 2.

RULES: Employees of Shropshire Newspapers, sponsors, associate companies and immediate families are not eligible. The editor’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. Winners must agree to work with the Shropshire Star on publicity initiatives over the following year, and finalists must be prepared to present their plan on stage at the business awards final on June 27.