Entrants are asked to submit a formal plan for a digital print business. A shortlist of 20 will be drawn from the first valid 150 entries before 10 finalists are then interviewed by a panel.

The panel of experts will select a winner and two runners-up, who will share prizes worth around €100,000 (£88,000), including a Canon ImageRunner Advance C9070 Pro light production colour printer, an ImagePrograf wide-format printer and access to Business Builder courses.

The competition reflects the company's 'Leap' theme for Ipex 2010, which is aiming to motivate printers to move in a new business direction.

Trevor Dodsworth, head of product marketing for Canon Business Solutions at Canon UK said the manufacturer wants to encourage customers to take "an innovative approach to securing the long-term future of their businesses". 

"For those considering such an approach and wanting to turn their commercial dreams into a reality by taking their businesses in a new direction, the submission of an entry to the Business Leap competition gives them the potential opportunity to achieve their goals at very low risk," he added.

Entries should be submitted by 31 July 2010 via Canon's Ipex microsite, www.canon-europe.com/ipex