FROM "CAR ENGINES that run on magnetic fields" and "fancy dog treats with an Asian twist" to "a web site that suggests recipes based on the contents of your refrigerator," would-be entrepreneurs are airing their hair-brained — or brilliant? — business ideas for the world-wide web to see. In return, they’re receiving peer feedback as well as the opportunity, in some cases, to vie for thousands of dollars in start-up funds.

Three weeks ago, Advanta Corp., a Spring House, Pa., credit-card company, launched IdeaBlob.com, a web site where aspiring business owners can propose and discuss ideas as well as compete to win $10,000 each month. IdeaBlob’s contests are broken down into three "sprints," or rounds, with finalists ultimately competing to win the grand prize at the end of the month. "There isn’t a panel of experts," says Ami Kassar, chief innovation officer at Advanta. "The winning idea will be based on the most votes from the community."

One of IdeaBlob's first-round winners was Tom Krieglstein, who along with his partners entered an idea for university-orientation software called Red Rover that links students, faculty and alumni according to interests. "It allows you to develop peer groups, which could ultimately lead to higher engagement in education," says 27-year-old Krieglstein, who also co-founded Swift Kick, an education company in Chicago.

Red Rover, which can work with information already uploaded to a person's MySpace and Facebook account or be used on its own, is currently being tested at six different schools. But even ideas that aren't currently based in reality have a chance at the prize. For instance, one of the second-round winners, Scott Stadum, wants to develop an application for Facebook in which members who are willing to donate time, energy and other resources can connect with Peace Corps volunteer projects around the world.

Already, says Stadum, his Peace Corps application "has gotten a lot of traction." Two parties who've seen his idea on IdeaBlob have reached out to him about possibly helping him get his idea off the ground. "That is the beauty of the Internet," he says. "It allows the small guys to compete with the big guys."

Other institutions that cater to small-business customers are starting similar online communities. On Monday, Intuit launched IWillJustStart.com, which encourages would-be business owners to "join the entrepreneurial revolution" and pledge to start a business. The site offers feedback, advice and the opportunity to win a $50,000 start-up grant, not to mention the company's QuickBooks Simple Start accounting software (which normally costs $99.95) for free.

IdeaBlob first-round winner Tom Krieglstein holds up his laptop as it runs student orientation software application Red Rover.

To enter the contest, which begins today and runs until the middle of December, users submit a letter or video explaining their business ideas. Like IdeaBlob, the competition's entrants will have the opportunity to compete for start-up money — that includes $40,000 in cash and $10,000 worth of business services and resources. But unlike IdeaBlob, experts whittle down the list of finalists at which point users vote for their favorite.

Intuit also runs JumpUp.com, which is more of a community-based site for entrepreneurs, where 6,000 active members post and answer each other's questions through online forums. "We’ve learned that people want real advice from real people," says Eirene Chen, group manager for JumpUp.com.

To that end, the site tries to establish an independent feel, limiting the pushing of Intuit products on users, Chen says. "We deliberately call ourselves Jump Up" to minimize the association with the Mountain View, Calif., software giant, she says, adding: "We are trying to be genuine." For example, if a person has a specific problem in which Intuit’s billing manager software might help, "we will recommend it," she says. "But even if what you need isn't a QuickBooks product, we'll list it."

Earlier this month, Bank of America launched its "Small Business Online Community," which is accessible here. It's not giving away money at this point, but users can commune with other small-business owners and receive real-time feedback for their respective business challenges. At the site, "they can talk to experts, each other or read success stories that different small-business owners have posted," says Mark Hogan, president of Small Business at Bank of America. "It is about small-business owners for small-business owners."

One other company getting in on the online small-business community action is Cambrian House. Using a "co-operative" approach, the Calgary-based site allows entrepreneurs to test ideas and possibly launch start-ups. In virtual forums, Cambrian members submit and rank each others' ideas for businesses and then collectively vote on which ones to develop. Worthy ideas may lead to a market test where entrepreneurs connect with developers, designers and marketers within Cambrian's network to put their idea in action. Once the idea reaches profitability, the Cambrian members involved share in the proceeds.

("Starting Up," a weekly column written by Diana Ransom for smSmallBiz.com, follows entrepreneurs through the early stages of launching a business. Write to her at dransom@smartmoney.com.)