Review article

The article analyzes the "business idea" category as interpreted by various authors and traces the process of its generation. Possible origin sources of business ideas in the consciousness of people who are thinking about starting their business are investigated. Results of researching businessmen`s priorities in case of selecting business ideas at the stage preceding the direct running of business are analyzed and generalized. The problems connected with formation of the ideas in Russia are analyzed and the ways of solving these problems are suggested.