Greg Sukornyk knows what it takes to create a successful Internet company.

In the late '90s, he launched a free Internet service provider in Europe called The X-Stream Network, which was later bought by France's largest Internet service provider, LibertySurf, for $75 million in March 2000. Since then he's been advising and consulting for smaller Internet startups, but in 2006 he had the idea for Project Breakout.

''I was thinking about the marriage of online video with social networking,'' Sukornyk said. ``Why not leverage the benefits of the Internet to take a model like American Idol and extend it to multiple categories?''

Based in Fort Lauderdale, ProjectBreakout.com launched in 2007 and has competition categories for musicians, comedians, filmmakers, broadcasters and personal trainers.

It stands out from being just a video-upload and competition site because it puts a focus on career resources to aid its aspiring stars.

''We're not just a promotional contest site,'' Sukornyk said. ``We're really looking to help them in the life cycle of their career.''

A part of his business that has been getting attention is Breakout Solutions, which will power up a competition for a company. Right now the company is working on helping ESPN host a contest on their own site.

''We're kind of scratching the surface as to the content we want to deliver through Project Breakout,'' Sukornyk said. ``There are a lot of pieces that are quite complicated. Our technical platform has been a year-and-a-half in continuous development.''

He sees Project Breakout as more than just a video-based talent competition site. It's a place for fame seekers to find career advancement help and for scouts to shop a virtual talent marketplace.

As far as advertising goes, the site has worked with companies to sponsor an entire channel or section of the site, or even put an ad on the video player.

''Online contests and promotions of this sort are something that is increasingly attracting the brands,'' Sukornyk said. He cited Snow Queen Vodka, which sponsored a swimsuit model competition in April, with the grand finale at the Sagamore Hotel in South Beach.

He says Project Breakout is more quality-controlled content than YouTube.

''We're looking for those that are serious about creating compelling content and enticing those members to create original programming for the site, not just entries for competition,'' he said.

It's what he hopes will keep people coming back. He said the quality of opportunities is a big driver for the first-time contestant, along with staying to interact with key professionals.

''Our real focus has been product development and the acquisition of users,'' he said. The site is approaching 325,000 unique visitors a month, with the average visitor spending 15 minutes.

Not much has been spent on marketing, and most of the funding is from private investors, he said.

''It all boils down to having a really compelling product,'' Sukornyk added. ``The rest -- that PR factor -- then just takes care of itself.''

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