The Cambridge Judge Business School is hosting the first Idea Transform event.

A major new initiative has been launched in Cambridge to support entrepreneurs looking to develop technology projects.

Called Idea Transform, it aims to help people transform innovative ideas into sustainable businesses through a programme that combines events, mentoring and targeted support.

Created in partnership with the University of Cambridge’s Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning (CfEL), it plans to focus on projects that will make a ‘positive difference’ to people and society – in areas ranging from education, health and finance to community and the environment.

“From the internet to mobile phones, technology now has the potential to fundamentally benefit billions of people across the world,” said Shailendra Vyakarnam, director of the CfEL at the Cambridge Judge Business School.

“Harnessing this wave of innovation can deliver a meaningful impact in so many areas – but too many great ideas are simply falling by the wayside due to a lack of early-stage support.

“That’s why CfEL is backing Idea Transform, as it promises to empower exciting projects that will make a real difference to people and society.”

The first event in the Idea Transform programme will take place on April 20-22 at the Cambridge Judge Business School.

It aims to team up people with ideas and those with business, marketing and technical skills to work together intensely over the weekend to develop meaningful and innovative projects.

At the end of the event an international judging panel will select those projects that show the most promise and Idea Transform will then work closely with them to provide ongoing mentoring and support.

“Creating any start-up is an arduous and difficult process that needs a huge amount of support if it is to succeed,” said Chris Measures, co-founder of Idea Transform.

“We can see the potential innovative new ideas have to benefit us all, so we wanted to provide the support entrepreneurs need to develop and grow, across the entire early-stage lifecycle, through both intensive events and ongoing mentoring.”

For more information, go to www.ideatransform.org