A SOCIAL investment fund looking for bright energy business ideas in need of financial support held a successful workshop in Worcester.

Ignite, which is backed by multi-national utilities company Centrica, visited the offices of accountants Bishop Fleming in College Yard as part of its UK roadshow to encourage applicants to apply to its national competition.

Last year's competition winner was Worcester-based Midlands Together of Top Barn Business Centre, Holt Heath, which helps upskill and employ ex-offenders with the aim of reducing repeat offending. Launched in October 2013, Midlands Together provides training and paid work to ex-offenders while bringing dilapidated houses back into use.

Sarwjit Sambhi, managing director of Centrica Energy Exploration & Production and a member of the Ignite investment committee, said: "The best ideas are often the ones that start small. Energy is relevant to each and every one of us and Centrica is delighted to be able to support Ignite on the national roadshow. Ignite works to help entrepreneurs with the vital role they play in building a better society. We encourage anybody who has a bright energy idea and who wants to make a positive difference to apply. I am personally looking forward to meeting many of these entrepreneurs in 2015.”

The Ignite roadshow is open to anyone with a bright business idea that uses energy, meets the requirement of making a difference to people’s lives and needs help in getting the idea investment ready. The ideas will be pitched to a panel of experts with successful applicants receiving a package of pre-investment support that could potentially lead to an investment of up to £2m.

The application process is now open and the final deadline for entrepreneurs to submit their ideas is May 15. For more information and to apply, visit: ignitesocialenterprise.com/challenge/