The countdown for success has begun and the contenders are itching to go. As the finalists of Zee TV's "Business Baazigar" which promises to reverse the fortunes of those who can think "aloud and apart", Puneet Anand and Nandini Hirianniah have reasons to soar.

So when they came in for a formal introduction this afternoon, they were already soaring high, with business novelty perched firmly by their side. The announcement of their selection as 20 all-India finalists may be old, but their public appearance was something new.

Eager to share their histories and their chance acquaintance with "Business Baazigar", they rolled on, with Puneet Anand taking the lead. As the Chief Operations Officer of Global Infosystems, he spoke of environment-conscious management through recycling of PET bottles — something he admitted Europe had already mastered.

So what's so innovative about the project? "Well, the conception of it and its very entry into India where environment consciousness is the last thing on people's minds," said a young Anand, who has a degree in business administration from Muzaffarnagar. PET bottles can be preserved and consumers can be mobilised to give back used bottles that can then be subjected to processing formalities to yield fine products like sleeping bags.

"The initial cost of the project will be Rs 3 crore, and I hope to get the project funded by winning the contest," said Anand, who has been handling scrap management for his existing company. Interestingly, Anand had tried mobilising finance for this project through credit lending agencies like banks, but he failed.

"Business Baazigar" came as a breather, and it has been good to work on the project and see it enlisted as a prospective winner," the young COO wrapped up, handing over the stage to Nandini Hirianniah who sounded confident but not novel, to begin with.

She intends to spare juice lovers the pain of consuming unhygienic drinks at roadside vends. But she might consider conducting a market survey to assure her of the prevalence of "hygienic juice vends in India". She has been in the US for a while and a reality check in India might be of help.

But the vibrant social worker from Bangalore, who is also in charge of Madhouse here, says, "I have hardly come across a clean, hygienic place that prepares juices keeping the nutrients intact. I want to diversify into fruit as well as vegetable juices. But my topmost priority is opening a chain of lively juice bars that will redefine the market dynamics. The initial cost would be Rs 80 lakh," says Hirianniah, who obviously found favour with Zee which has shortlisted her project among the final 20.

Whatever the results, the finalists know they must keep thinking hard lest their business acumen fails them.