Introduction

What is Shell Springboard?

Shell Springboard is a programme that provides a financial boost to innovative, low carbon business ideas from across the UK. Successfully piloted in 2005, here’s how it works:

9 awards of up to £40,000 are on offer across 3 UK events
The number and quality of entries will determine the number of awards given. Each region has a maximum number of awards it can give, but no minimum. The actual number of awards made, and the level of each award will be at the judges’ discretion.
Awards will be made in early 2012.
Application process now closed.
Judging will be carried out by panels of independent experts at 3 events.
Up to 2 businesses from each of the 3 events will then meet a national judging panel prior to the announcement of an overall UK winner
Previous applicants can reapply for the fund.
Previous winners can only reapply for the fund with a new project. Projects previously supported by Shell Springboard will not be supported in subsequent years.

In short, the judges are looking for business plans for a product or service which:

will lead to greenhouse gas emissions reductions
is commercially viable
is innovative

There are two further aspects that the judges will take into consideration: 1) the likely material impact that the Springboard award will have on your project and 2) the credibility of the team behind the project.

Eligibility criteria

There are strict eligibility criteria. Please only submit an application if you:

are a business set up as a sole trader, partnership, limited company or community interest company (including university or government spin-outs)
established formally for at least three months at the time of entry, with a UK bank account in your company’s name
have less than 250 employees and qualify as a small or medium enterprise (SME)
operate in the UK
have a project which is your own and/or which you are free to disclose
have a project that has not been previously supported by a Shell Springboard award