The Shell Springboard fund is now open for a second round, giving a cash boost to small businesses with a product or service that helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Awards of between £20,000 and £40,000 will be available in early 2007. To be eligible:

• Your product or service must reduce greenhouse gases, be innovative and commercially viable
• You must have been in business for at least three months, as a sole trader or a company employing fewer than 250 people
• You must be based in the UK

Last years winners include:Scotrenewables for its innovative turbine system which extracts energy from tidal currents.

The runner-up was Mantle Panel Ltd in Surrey for its building system based around an innovative insulating material.

The other UK finalists last year were:

• Derbyshire-based NetComposites for LoPlas, a new plastic enabling car manufacturers to build lighter vehicles that give off fewer emissions.
• EA Technical Services in Lancashire for its Clean Heat ultra-efficient heating pump.
• Luton-based Chalmor for its simple heat-saving device for householders.
• Water Innovate in Cranfield for N-Tox®, a new low-cost monitor that detects nitrous oxide emissions in wastewater

The application deadline is 10 November 2006. Go to www.shellspringboard.org to find out more.