A total of 55 finalists have been named in the 2014 Western Bay of Plenty Young Innovator Awards.

Finalists were selected from more than 100 entries, with the majority of applicants coming from secondary school students.

Established in 2010 by economic development agency Priority One's Instep programme, the awards encourage the development of a culture of innovation in WBOP through inspiring and encouraging young people to become true innovators.

The awards engage students and people aged under 40 in Tauranga and WBOP in the process of innovative thinking and problem solving to come up with an idea for a product or service.

Priority One's Instep manager Lyn Parlane says the quality and calibre of this year's entries is the best the annual competition has seen.

'There's been an increase in the number of group entries from participating schools, which includes Aquinas College, Mount Maunganui College, Otumoetai College, Papamoa College, Tauranga Girls' College, Tauranga Boys' College, Te Puke High School and Te Wharekura o Mauao.”

The projects from all 2014 finalists will be on display at Bayfair Shopping Centre until August 6, giving the public the opportunity to vote for the People's Choice Award.

The winner of this category will be announced, along with other category winners, at the launch of Western Bay @ Work on August 7.

All finalists will be judged by a panel of experts against five criteria including, research, communication, innovation, sustainability and creativity. Coinciding with the YIA awards, the second annual YIA Innovation Forum will be held at Trinity Wharf Tauranga on August 8.

To find out more and register for this event, visit www.yia.co.nz/forum. The annual Young Innovator Awards are organised by Priority One's Instep programme, Locus Research and Woods the Creative Agency. For further information, visit www.yia.co.nz.