SMALL businesses in the North West with big ideas to combat climate change are being urged not to miss out on the opportunity to win a £40,000 Shell Springboard award.

The programme offers a financial boost to SMEs that can turn the climate change challenge into a viable business opportunity, securing their own share of a European market predicted to be worth £2,000 billion by 2030.

A new report, commissioned by Shell Springboard, has revealed that UK SMEs are already leading the way in attracting European investment in low carbon technology. The research, The Race to Capture the Carbon Pound: The UK’s place in the global market for low carbon innovation, found that British small businesses last year captured 43 per cent of venture capital and private equity investment in Europe.

James Smith, Chairman of Shell UK, said: "There is an increasing pressure on businesses to develop solutions to tackle climate change. Shell Springboard is trying to help out with no-strings financial boosts for small companies in the North West with promising ideas to capitalise on this growing market it into a positive business opportunity."

Shell Springboard offers a financial boost for UK businesses with compelling ideas for tackling climate change. These must be ideas which:

  • Will lead to greenhouse gas reductions
  • Are commercially viable
  • Are innovative

Up to six awards of between £20,000 and £40,000 are on offer to businesses across the UK. Last year awards of £40,000 were made to five businesses from across the UK.

The deadline for 2008 entries is 7 November 2008. Full details and an online application form can be found at www.shellspringboard.org.

2007 Springboard winner, Dr Paula Carey of Carbon8 – a company which turns everyday rubbish from landfill sites into building materials such as bricks or roofing - believes the credibility of winning Shell Springboard helped secure a partnership with Kent County Council to create a pilot project on a local landfill site.

Dr Paula Carey said: "Programmes like Shell Springboard encourage small and medium sized businesses to seize the issue of climate change as a commercial opportunity that should be embraced. Winning the award last year has enabled us to continue our research and development activity as well as initiate an all important pilot project in the local Council."