Stage 1

Register on Prove My Concept and start working through the viability test to see if your idea stacks up. The website uses the same platform used by investors and entrepreneurs raising finance today.

There are links to lots of resources to help you answer the questions to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of your ideas... don't worry about showing problems with your idea - that's a good thing! No idea is perfect, it is important to demonstrate that you understand the flaws. Especially when it comes to stage 2...

Stage 2

Now you have got a concept being developed and you are making progress.

Keep testing your idea by asking others to give their opinion/help/advice. By now you should know the initial pros and cons of your concept and you should be getting feedback to help you solve some of these problems and capitalise on the strengths. You may need to build a team, finding a friend who is a good designer to make a logo, or good with computers to build a website.

Stage 2 is also when you get your teachers to look at your concept and give you feedback (you never know, they may come up with a way to solve your problems).

You can try and prove your concept by speaking to customers / getting quotes from suppliers / getting advice from people who have started business before. You may want to ask advice or find out what problems they had when starting up.

It is your project so get as much background as you can from those that have done something similar. Keep up the effort as this is the ‘slog’ bit! If your teachers think your idea has developed into a workable business concept you may be THE ONE and have your work put into the national competition! Remember it could win you up to £5000!

Stage 3...

Where, if your teacher puts you forward for one of our national competitions, you get the chance to meet the Prove My Concept judges.

The entries put forward by schools are judged by real investors willing to support and develop the best student concepts as they do in businesses already.

The finalists will present (with help and support from the Prove My Concept team) to the investors and the winner will be chosen!