Up to £40,000 for green ideas
Jul 15 2005
Small businesses with ideas that could help combat climate change have the chance to get up to £40,000 from a new fund.
The fund, Shell Springboard, will provide finance to a number of UK businesses who submit the most compelling plans for a product or service, which: will lead to a reduction in greenhouse gas; is commercially viable; and is innovative.
Three regional judging panels will be looking for groundbreaking ideas backed by sound financial planning and market understanding.
Awards of between £20,000 and £40,000 will be made in early 2006 and six businesses will then be chosen for further recognition. These SMEs will meet a national panel of judges to compete to be named overall UK winner.
'Tackling climate change is not just a job for governments and big business,' said Lord Oxburgh, chair of the judging panel. 'It is also an important opportunity for small businesses in the UK. We hope that Shell Springboard helps to inspire an entrepreneurial approach to the urgent challenge of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.'
You are eligible to apply if you:
- are a business set up as a sole-trader, partnership, limited company or community interest company
- have been established for a minimum of 3 months
- have fewer than 250 employees
- operate in the UK
- have an idea and business plan which is your own and/or which you are free to disclose·
The deadline for applications is 4 November 2005. Full details and an application form can be found at www.shellspringboard.org.