A Dragon's Den-style competition, which has helped attract millions of pounds in investment to Bradford, is to launch its third year.

The success comes as Bradford-based Pro-Active Sports, finalists in last year's Enterprise Island contest, have have snatched a nationwide Enterprising Young Brits competition.

Roland Egege and Baljeet "Bobby" Singh, founders of the company which takes sport programmes to primary schools without a designated PE teacher, won the social and environment category.

They were presented with a trophy and £1,000 by Chancellor Gordon Brown at a London ceremony, having pitched their company before a panel of seven judges.

Mr Singh said the experience and advice from Bradford Council's Enterprise Island had been invaluable.

"We knew what to expect because we had had to make a similar pitch in Enterprise Island. So we had an idea how it would go," he said.

"But we were still very nervous. We both had a sleepless night the night before."

He and Roland were big supporters of Enterprise Island, which gives people the chance to pitch business ideas to experts and get advice and information.

He said it had made a significant impact on their businesses development.

"When we entered last year we were just sports coaches - it taught us to think like businessmen," he said. "We now employ coaches and our role is to concentrate on growing the business.

"I would say to anyone wanting to go into business to go for it - follow your idea, have self-belief and confidence. There are so many people out there with brilliant ideas but just don't know what to do. Enterprise Island is fantastic as it helps you develop ideas and gives you support and advice."

Enterprise Island, launched in 2005, was a vital part in a bid for a £21.4 million Local Enterprise Growth Initiative (LEGI) grant from the Government aimed at building new businesses. The third contest starts in January.

Imtiaz Ahmed, of Bradford Council's Department of Regeneration, said the project was being broadened. It would also be aimed at people with "creative aspirations" such as artists, landscape gardeners and video production.

"People in the creative arts don't often think of business but we want them to start to think in enterprise," he said.

e-mail: clive.white@bradford.newsquest.co.uk