Daymond John, a member of the "Shark Tank" cast and...

Daymond John, a member of the "Shark Tank" cast and an entrepreneur who started the brand FUBU will give a keynote address during a competition to pick winners in a Long Island young entrepreneurs contest. Credit: ABC, 2011

Two budding Long Island entrepreneurs  will be able to walk away $10,000 closer to making their start-up ideas a reality Thursday.

The Long Island Youth Entrepreneur Challenge will choose two winners during  a live event Thursday that features live pitches from the contestants and a speech from popular reality TV show judge Daymond John.

The challenge invited young entrepreneurs between the ages of 17 and 22 who live on Long Island or go to a local university to submit  business plans in June and July. The contest has two tracks -- one for students at Long Island universities, another for Long Island residents.

Ten finalists -- five on each track -- were chosen from the applicant pool to present their ideas live in front of a panel of judges. That final presentation will start at 2 p.m. Thursday in the Capital One Building on Broadhollow Road in Melville.

John, who is also an entrepreneur and creator of the brand FUBU, will give his keynote speech around 4:40 p.m. Thursday. The winners will be announced afterward.

The winners and runners-up will both receive mentoring and equipment to help their budding businesses.

The contest is being sponsored by Empire Facilities Management Group and Capital One Bank.

On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," we look at East Islip baseball's inspirational comeback story, Jared Valluzzi has the plays of the week and Tess Ferguson breaks down the top defensive players in girls lacrosse. 

Sarra Sounds Off Ep. 35: EI baseball, girls lacrosse and plays of the week On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," we look at East Islip baseball's inspirational comeback story, Jared Valluzzi has the plays of the week and Tess Ferguson breaks down the top defensive players in girls lacrosse.

On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," we look at East Islip baseball's inspirational comeback story, Jared Valluzzi has the plays of the week and Tess Ferguson breaks down the top defensive players in girls lacrosse. 

Sarra Sounds Off Ep. 35: EI baseball, girls lacrosse and plays of the week On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," we look at East Islip baseball's inspirational comeback story, Jared Valluzzi has the plays of the week and Tess Ferguson breaks down the top defensive players in girls lacrosse.

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