News

October 30, 2009

Last call for green firms to apply for Shell funding

Climate-conscious firms have only days to go to pitch for a grant of up to £40,000 by entering the Shell Springboard Awards.

Entrants to the awards are required to demonstrate that their product or service will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions or combat climate change, and that it is innovative and commercially viable. The deadline to enter the awards is 6 November 2009.

Judges will also take into consideration the likely impact that the grant will have on the project.

Shell is offering a maximum of six awards of up to £40,000 to businesses in each of three regions — Scotland and Northern Ireland, northern and central England, and Wales and southern England.

Regional winners will be announced in February 2010, and up to two businesses from each region will compete for the national Shell Springboard award in March.

"The businesses that will stand out will be those which have a practical and simple application that could be widely taken up by consumers or other businesses," said awards spokeswoman, Fiona Carnegie. "The firms that have previously been successful in the awards have demonstrated real potential to have a long-term effect on carbon emissions if their applications were to be widely adopted.

"Beyond that, we're looking for evidence of real passion, knowledge and expertise as well as a demonstrable dedication to changing the way energy is created and used," she added.

Last year's national winner was Ma (Innovation) 2T4, a father-and-son team who entered their Supercharger Air Hybrid system for car engines.

To be eligible applicants must have fewer than 250 employees, operate in the UK, and have been established for a minimum of three months.

• For more information about the awards and to download an entry form, visit the Shell Springboard website