Eligibility for Shell Springboard is set out below. If you entered for an award in the previous rounds, please do take time to ensure you are still eligible as there have been some small changes.
About You
You can apply if you:
- Are a business set up as a sole trader, partnership, limited company or community interest company (including university or government spin-outs) AND
- Have been established for a minimum of 3 months AND
- Are considered as SME status according to the EU definition AND
- Operate in the UK AND
- Have an idea and business plan which is your own and/or which you are free to disclose
- Have previously applied for the fund before but have been unsuccessful
- Have a project that has not previously been supported with a Shell Springboard Award
Please do NOT apply if you are: Under 18 years of age OR
A university or public sector research institute OR
A voluntary or charitable organisation OR
A local authority OR
A community organisation OR
An employee, or a member of the immediate family of an employee of, the Royal Dutch/Shell Group
individuals whose business project has been previously supported with a Shell Springboard award
Still unsure? Ask yourself all these questions… Have I been in business for 3 months or more?
Am I a UK-based business with under 250 employees that qualifies as a SME?
Will my product or service potentially be profitable?
Can I demonstrate it will lead to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions?
Is this a new approach?
Is the idea my own idea?
If the idea is not my own, am I free to disclose it?
Do I have a commercialisation strategy and know how I need to bring the idea to market?
Will Springboard make a significant impact to the success of my idea?
Am I prepared to write a letter at an agreed time, describing what I have achieved (or the challenges I have faced)?
Am I prepared to provide publicity material on my business?
Do I have the support of the rest of my business and/or fellow directors?
Am I personally convinced that my business and idea are eligible?
For more information on the competition criteria and eligibility, see Guidance on Applications.