The region’s young people are being invited to come forward with their ‘Big Ideas’ and potentially launch themselves as fully-fledged innovators of tomorrow, in a competition designed to inspire the entrepreneurs of the future.

The Big Ideas ICT Youth Challenge launches later this month, and entries are being invited from teams of young people between the ages of 11 and 20 region-wide. In previous years the competition has attracted teams from schools, scouts, cubs, army cadets, families, and colleges.

“Teams can be made up of friends, family, school mates or anyone you want!” says Lisa Smith, Big Ideas manager and competition coordinator. “Pretty much any type of group you can think of is welcome to apply as long as it consists of between 3 to 5 members. The most important part of the application is the Idea!”

Lisa continues: “In a nutshell, we’re looking for Innovative ideas that either involve developing new technologies, or that use existing technologies in a way that has never been done before.”

The competition organisers are also on hand should teams need support in developing their idea. Experts are available to visit schools, youth clubs or other meeting places to assist groups prior to submitting their application.

Teams that are successful will embark on a journey spanning over seven months, which will see them pitching ideas to some of the country’s biggest brains. The competition culminates with a week-long residential, the HotHouse, where teams will take their ideas a step closer to becoming a commercial reality by spending time developing them with expert assistance.

At this stage, teams will also enjoy outdoor activities including raft building, mountain boarding, abseiling, computer games and much more.

The Big Ideas ICT Youth Challenge is delivered by the Big Ideas Facility at the North East Business and Innovation Centre (BIC), developed by Highlands and Islands Enterprise and supported by NESTA, the National Endowment for Science and Technology and the Arts.

Teams must submit ideas online at www.bigideasyouthchallenge.co.uk before the 15th December 2007 to enter the competition.

Further information, or assistance in developing ideas can be obtained by calling Big Ideas on 0191 516 6075 or email info@bigideasyouthchallenge.co.uk.