Microsoft Launches Small-Business Contest

Carolyn Kepcher, who helped Donald Trump fire business wannabes on The Apprentice and was later fired herself, has reached a deal with Microsoft to find the best small-business idea in America.

"It takes a big idea to create a big business," Kepcher said, according to Reuters. "And I've seen some ideas before."

The winner of the contest will receive $100,000 in seed money, free storefront in Manhattan and software to help launch the company, according to Reuters. Kepcher and the other judges, maternity wear entrepreneur, Liz Lange, and Chris Capossela, a Microsoft vice president, will begin hearing ideas Tuesday in Manhattan.

Dozens of people waited in line on Tuesday to make their pitch.

Mary Miller, 38, a New Jersey municipal judge, proposed the idea of a cappuccino cafe with child care, called Just Give Me a Minute.

"As a mom, I like it," Lange said, according to Reuters.

Four finalists will be chosen, then the judges and the public will vote to choose a winner. Ideas can be submitted at http://www.ideawins.com, or in person in Manhattan, Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, and Las Vegas.