Nineteen young people were awarded money prizes ranging from 3,000 to 10,000 euros for the best business ideas. With the prize money they can not implement their ideas into practice. Attending the Business Ideas Gala, Prime Minister Vlad Filat said this national competition of business plans is a great launchpad for the young people who are willing to start a business. “I am impressed by the large number of applicants, 1366 young people. This demonstrates once again that Moldova has many competent youths eager to start businesses”. The 10,000 euro Grand Prix was awarded to Aliona Moraru for her plan to buy a steam generator for producing compound feed to be sold to animal and poultry farms. The first place is shared between three competitors, who received 7,000 euros each and other prizes from the sponsors. One of the winners is Gheorghe Leahu, who plans to set up a coypu farm. Andrei Struc wants to become a grower of decorative plants with an unique design, and Alexei Marcov plans to provide software to taxi companies. Five competitors occupied the second place and received 5,000 euros each. One of them plans to produce honey sticks, another one intends to open an artisan workshop and a third wishes to set up a gym in his village. Seven other competitors occupied the third place and were awarded 3,000 euros. Among their ideas is to open a multimedia studio, produce environment-friendly bags, manufacture hats and even folk costumes. Held annually since 2002, the competition is organized by the National Association of Young Managers in cooperation with the Junior Chamber International Moldova and is destined for young people aged 18-35. This year the competition's sponsors offered a total of 81,000 euros in prize money. Additionally, the first three winners also received 1,000 euros each from Prime Minister Filat.