The challenge to students is to create a sustainable business idea that will work to alleviate the problems faced by a community in a developing country – not through giving aid but through working with the local community to create employment and generate sustainable income.
The winner will receive a £500 budget to implement their idea overseas with the complete support of i-to-i and it’s founder, Deidre Bounds. Only the best idea will be picked, backed and implemented.
Each entrant must submit a short business proposal outlining:

• The proposed product or service, for example:
  • The sale of local products to local or international markets
  • Wholesale of basic foods through new community crops stores
  • The creation of locally-owned accommodation for foreign travellers

• How would your idea benefit a particular community or country?

• Why and how it would work?

• What would it cost?

• How can it be implemented easily?

Each proposal will require some research and students must provide evidence of this in support of their proposal. The idea that demonstrates the most creativity, depth of understanding and entrepreneurial spirit will win!
The concept is linked to Channel 4's ‘Millionaire’s Mission’ which starts on September 19th. This programme carries a very similar theme and could be a very useful resource for potential entrants.
Only teams of two can enter and entrants must be 16-18 years old.
The competition will be designed, run and managed by i-to-i in conjunction with World Vision and Channel 4.

The winner will be sent abroad for four weeks to set up their business idea. The prize includes flights and accommodation, plus significant guidance and hands-on support from Deirdre Bounds, the founder of i-to-i. A start-up budget of £500 will also be provided by i-to-i for the winning team. A truly unique experience will be gained for the winners.

The winning idea will be the one that is judged to have the greatest potential impact on the local community. This winning idea will need to:

1. Deliver the greatest benefits including the generation of local income, creating local employment or simply solving a local need
2. Be the most sustainable in the long-term, and able to be managed by the local community
3. Realistic and achievable to set-up in a four week period
4. Be presented by a team that are most likely to overcome the challenges of working with i-to-i to make their idea work in real-life

The judging panel will convene on the top 10 proposals and invite the finalists to a “Dragon’s Den” session at the i-to-i head office in Leeds. The judging panel will include 4 entrepreneurs from the Channel 4's Millionaires’ Mission and a development expert from World Vision.  Yorkshire tea and plenty of biscuits for all!