Dare to be Digital is a joint venture initially set up between the University of Abertay Dundee, Scottish Enterprise Tayside and Dundee City Council encouraging students across all Scottish universities and Colleges of Art to develop and submit an edutainment or game concept. Selected teams would be beneficiaries of expert advice and financial support in the preparation of a robust proposal and prototype to pitch to investors.

This year, Dare 2004 has joined forces with the Digital Hub in Dublin, in association with Diageo Ireland, Enterpise Ireland and IDA Ireland who will co-ordinate the heats throughout Irish universities. The Irish winner will also be given mentoring and financial support throughout the summer while working on the project in the University of Abertay as well as going forward to the International Dare to be Digital competiton in Dundee in September, where teams will compete for a prize fund of STG£5000 and follow up-support to develop their prototype to commercial standard.

Dare to be Digital plays a leading role in supporting future talent for the digital and interactive industries ," said Shona Cormack, the Chief Executive of Scottish Enterprise Tayside. "The inclusion of international teams and the presence of judges from companies such as Electronic Arts and the BBC are welcome developments that confirms the value of this innovative competition.”

Entries must be submitted as part of a team of five which should include at least one creative member, one technical person and another in charge of financial / management arrangements. The Digital Hub expects teams made up from inter-college collaborations.

Closing date for Irish entries is 12.00 noon March 29th 2004.

For more information visit: www.daretobedigital.ie