THE judges of the Shore Ideas 2013 entrepreneurial business competition say they have been impressed with the level of business talent from entrants.

Young people from schools across Dorset and Hampshire entered the Daily Echo-backed scheme, which saw those shortlisted go into the Lions’ Den, hosted at Menzies East Cliff Court Hotel, over the weekend.

Aimed at those aged 13 to 21, the successful teams from the scheme receive up to £1,000 to get their projects off the ground, with all proceeds being split and shared with good causes.

Shore Ideas 2013 has been supported by Bournemouth 2026 partnership, Bournemouth council and Bournemouth YMCA, and aims to encourage young people to realise their true potential, become entrepreneurs and make a difference in their community.

Tara Howard, organiser of the Venus Women in Business Awards, said: “My personal favourite of our shortlisters is the Dance Festival from some of the students at Bournemouth School. One of the guys is involved in a dance troupe and it all sounds very exciting. We have been really impressed by the standard of some of the younger groups. When I asked all of the teams questions about their pitch, age didn’t come into it. I just asked them the questions and, on the whole, they came up with some good answers.”

Medi Vahdati, owner of Tiien Thai Restaurants and Indian Ocean, added: “Some of the ideas that we had over the weekend were quite good, but just needed to be developed.

“They have all got guts for coming to stand in front of us and presenting their pitch. What they were getting is something that they can all use as real world experience when it comes to them gaining employment or starting a business in the future.”

The shortlisted teams chosen by the panel of judges as the successful finalists will go on to receive an eight-week mentoring programme to bring their business idea to life.

To see profiles of the Lions, visit bournemouthecho.co.uk/business