Richland County residents will pitch their ideas for new products, businesses and services during the Richland Idea Audition next week.The focus of the contest is to support new businesses, help entrepreneurs get businesses off the ground and introduce entrepreneurs to the community for support, according to a press release.The audition will be Tuesday, Oct. 16, in Founders Hall at The Ohio State University at Mansfield, 1760 University Drive, Mansfield.The five contestants who make it to the final round will pitch their ideas to an audience and a panel of judges, made up of local entrepreneurs.About 30 entrepreneurs, mainly Richland County residents, who are participating in the audition will have four minutes to explain their ideas for a chance to win the top prize of $5,000. The second place idea will receive $2,500, and third place will receive $1,000. The public is invited to attend a reception to meet and talk with the entrepreneurs from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. The final round starts at 6:30 p.m. and is open to the public.It is the first year for the Richland Idea Audition. Applications to compete in the audition closed in August.Richland County Foundation chief advancement officer Maura Teynor said several years ago, she and others from the foundation attended a similar event in Cleveland's Ohio City and were inspired to plan a Richland County event "to encourage entrepreneurship locally."The Richland County Foundation, Richland Area Chamber of Commerce, Richland Community Development Group, The Ohio State University at Mansfield, Braintree Business Development Center, Small Business Development Center and North Central Ohio SCORE are co-hosting the event.