Eight Victorian businesses have made it through to the next round of a competition founded by the Duke of York.
Prince Andrew joined judges in Melbourne on Tuesday, continuing his support of entrepreneurs across the world through the Pitch@Palace program.
A total of 17 Victorian teams pitched their ideas at the event, hosted by Victorian Governor Linda Dessau, in a bid for a place at a national event in Brisbane on November 30.
Ida Sports, which has designed football boots for women, Vollie, an online marketplace which connects skilled people to charities for volunteering, and ethical shopping company Good On You, were among those selected.
The prince told the audience that the Pitch@Palace program had led to "invaluable" connections for many businesses.
"The opportunity to display and showcase innovation and clever new ideas in businesses is a huge privilege," he said.
"It is incredibly encouraging to see how Australia has taken to Pitch@Palace, and how we can do this for Australians, in Australia, with Australians."
An international award ceremony for the program will be held at St James's Palace in London on December 12.
This year's entrants will be hoping to replicate the success of Australia's Nev Hyman, from the company Nevhouse, who won last year's global award.
Australian Associated Press
