THE search is continuing for the North-East most promising entrepreneurs.

The If We Can You Can challenge (IWCYC), run by The Northern Echo and the Entrepreneurs' Forum, aims to help get hundreds of people into business by raising their profile, offering mentoring and giving them access to the region's entrepreneurial community.

The event is now in its sixth year, and offers entrants the chance to present their ideas to a panel of experienced entrepreneurs and business professionals before Northern Echo readers vote for their winner.

The prize, worth at least £17,000, includes First Deal investment, mentoring and professional advice from the forum's partners, which include Yorkshire Bank, Onyx, Ward Hadaway, PwC and Rivers Capital.

Last year, 17-year-old DJ Leroy Allen, from Willington, County Durham, was crowned winner, and has since gone on to play at the Ministry of Sound Superclub, in London, and was invited to a Fat Boy Slim gig, in the Houses of Parliament.

Mr Allen now runs Fabrik Events, which provides safe club night experiences for 11 to 16-year-olds across County Durham and North Yorkshire.

Nigel Mills, chairman of the Entrepreneurs’ Forum, said: “Providing mentors who can share their experience and pass on knowledge to emerging business owners is central to the forum’s work, critical to IWCYC and vital to the growth of the regional economy.”

To enter, go to ifwecanyoucan.co.uk and the deadline is June 7.

Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on September 19.