Would-be student entrepreneurs have an opportunity to undertake business studies with a difference, thanks to a new program being launched by Central Coast Council.

The inaugural Ignite Business LaunchPad will provide 20 school students with the chance to refine their business idea and pitch it to potential mentors.

Eight students will then be selected to participate in a free 12-month mentoring program.

Council’s Director Connected Communities, Julie Vaughan said the program would benefit both individual young people and the wider Coast community.

“This program will teach skills which improve the chance of students’ business ideas becoming a reality, and will potentially open up future local employment opportunities for more Coast residents,” Ms Vaughan said.

“This is an outstanding learning opportunity for young people who have a passion to work as entrepreneurs. The pitch night will be similar to the approach used in the popular Shark Tank television show, where young people sell the benefits of their product or business idea.”

The Ignite Business Launchpad has three stages:

• A weekend bootcamp where participants will work with business educators to develop and refine their business idea.
• A “pitch night” where the students will pitch their ideas to potential business mentors.
• Eight students will receive free mentoring for 12 months.

To be eligible, participants must be enrolled in a Central Coast school. Applications close on 28 February.

For more information or to register, visit ignitelaunchpad.com.au.

Central Coast Council is partnering with Illuminate to deliver the Ignite Business Launchpad program. Illuminate is an entrepreneurship education organisation which delivers small business education in a number of Central Coast high schools.