Last year, Advanta launched a website called ideablob.com where entrepreneurs and small business owners are invited to share their business ideas.  In simplest terms, users submit business ideas and community members give (and get) advice related to those ideas.  Each month, the community votes on the best idea, and the idea with the most votes wins $10,000 from Advanta.

This month, all eight finalists are women, which is very exciting.  The businesses include an afterschool science program, an eco-friendly women-owned clothing company and more.  If you want to vote for your favorite (or submit your own ideas), just visit ideablob.com, register and join the conversation.

I think this is a great idea, and I’m happy that Advanta isn’t burying the usefulness of the site in ads and marketing messages.  I’m certain they’re gathering user information and using it to market Advanta credit cards in some way, but I suppose that’s to be expected.  What do you think?  Have you used ideablob.com?