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Cash boost offered to low carbon SMEs

Small enterprises looking for a financial boost to aid the development of innovative, low-carbon business ideas can now apply for an award from Shell Springboard.

Now in its eighth year, Shell Springboard promises to offer businesses the chance to win up to £40,000 to help make their commercially viable ideas a reality.

Since 2005, Shell says it has awarded over £2.25 million to 62 small businesses that have developed new ways of cutting carbon emissions. Last year’s winner, Select Innovations, was awarded £40,000 for its innovative EnLight technology, a product designed to help local authorities keep street lights on by reducing power consumption, saving the UK 1 million tonnes of CO2 each year.

Graham van’t Hoff, Chairman of Shell UK, said: “At Shell, we pride ourselves on our commitment to championing great British low carbon innovation. There are over five million small to medium sized businesses in theUKwho are smart, quick and full of ideas, but finding financial support difficult to obtain. With low carbon enterprise rising up the agenda for the government and the media, it’s never been a more exciting time for businesses in this sector. If you have a commercially viable, innovative idea, I urge you to apply for the 2013 Shell Springboard Awards.”

To apply, you must:

  • be based in theUK
  • be a SME by the European definition
  • have been in business for at least three months
  • To apply, visit www.shellspringboard.org before 5pm on Friday, 18th January 2013.