Timeline

Entrants have until July 25 to come up with an idea, formulate a business plan and complete the online form at www.ttgbigidea.com

The Investors will shortlist the entrants into those finalists they wish to see pitch their ideas in the TTG boardroom overlooking the River Thames.

Finalists will come to London at the end of August to pitch their ideas to the Investors and to negotiate the level of equity in their company they are prepared to sell in return for the £100,000.

All finalists will be invited to the Grosvenor House in London on September 10 for the TTG Travel Awards, where the winner of the TTG Big Idea will be announced.

TTG will feature the winner in the September 19 issue of TTG and will follow their fortunes thereafter.

  
 
 

Have you got an idea that could shake up the travel industry but never had the funding or support to get it off the ground?

Maybe you have spotted a gap in the market for a totally new product, or some whizzy new technology, or a new way of selling holidays or business travel?

Are you a frustrated entrepreneur, fed up working for someone else, knowing you have an idea that could see you running your own business, resulting in fame and fortune?

Well now TTG is giving you the chance to get it off the ground with a staggering £100,000 investment from four of the industry’s most successful entrepreneurs, in the TTG Big Idea 2008, in association with Dubai Tourism.
Steve Endacott, chief executive of The On Holiday Group, Terry Fisher, managing director of Gold Medal Travel, Simon Powell, chief executive of Comtec, and David Speakman, chairman of Travel Counsellors, are each putting up £25,000 of their own money to invest in what they believe will be the next Big Idea in travel.

All you have to do is convince them that your idea will make the biggest impact on the sector – and more importantly, the biggest returns - and you will have £100,000 to follow your dreams. The investors will want equity in your company of course, but in return you’ll have the advice and guidance of four of the industry’s most experienced businessmen at your fingertips. What an opportunity!

Ian Scott, director of the UK and Ireland representative office of our sponsors, Dubai Tourism said: "Dubai is the world’s most dynamic and progressive destination, with a status rooted in innovation and big ideas.  In Dubai you can expect the best...What if we built a palm tree-shaped island in the sea, what if we built three? What if we bought QE2 and turned the ship into a hotel? What if we developed the world's tallest building, biggest mall or perhaps the world's largest airport?  Success and big ideas are synonymous with Dubai which is why we support this project to drive innovation in our industry."

So start writing a business plan, brush up your pitching skills and prepare for a grilling – they won’t invest their money lightly! 

To check out how to enter, more about the Investors and what you stand to gain if you win this fabulous competition, click on the buttons above...