UMIC host’s landmark competition on climate change ideas with The Shell Springboard programme.
UMIC in its drive to support the growth of the clean technology sector was pleased to host The Shell Springboard programme at the CTF in Manchester on 2nd February. The Shell Springboard programme, which has awarded over £1.3 million to 35 UK small businesses since it launched in 2005, this year celebrates its fifth anniversary. The programme encourages a positive business response to the challenge of climate change by providing a no-strings financial boost to ideas for innovative products and services that could help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
An action packed day saw a host of presentations by shortlisted companies to a tough judging panel. In the evening they held a showcase exhibition with companies from as far away as Poole in Dorset, and the finale culminating in three prize awards of £40,000 to the winners.
The judging panel included many experienced clean technology experts, entrepreneurs and financiers. Locally Dr Martino Picardo of UMIC also sat on the judging panel and assessed this as ‘a real opportunity to show the depth and breadth of cutting edge ideas from across the UK. With the support of Shell Springboard many of these will go on to become the businesses of the future we need to solve the carbon reduction agenda. UMIC is also supporting this drive, not only in its hosting of this keynote competition, but in its ongoing incubation and support of growing low carbon business in the Northwest and beyond’.
A further talk was given by Tony Walker on UMIC that touched on Manchester’s industrial heritage and how it is helping contribute back to the new ‘industrial resolution’ idea of solving the energy and environmental challenges.
The night culminated in a series of awards. Birmingham based business Aeristech Ltd, with an innovative idea for tackling climate change won an award of £40,000. Aeristech Ltd received the financial boost for its Hybrid Turbocharger which eliminates ‘turbo lag’ and has the potential to save 25% of the energy of a conventional petrol engine. If widely adopted, this could have a substantial impact on the usage of downsized engines.
Bryn Richards, Director of Aeristech, said: “We have built a high performance turbocharger and are currently running two customer engine projects to achieve 25% emission reductions. Winning this Shell Springboard award is a welcome boost to our credibility and will allow us to accelerate our commercial programme.”
HiMag Solutions from Stroud and Global Energy Systems from Blackpool also received awards of £40,000. Global Energy Systems & Technology received the financial boost for its range of heat pumps which could ultimately signal the end of burning fossil fuels to heat our homes.
Nimai Swaroop, Marketing Manager of Lubricants UK and Nordics, Shell, said: “Over the last five years, Shell Springboard has given £1.3 million to thirty small businesses like Aeristech with innovative ideas for tackling climate change. It’s fantastic to see UK’s entrepreneurs continue to respond to the challenge of climate change, regardless of the economic climate and we wish Bryn Richards and his team every success in moving forwards.”
Aeristech Ltd will now compete to be named as the overall UK winner in London on the 2nd March.
For further information on accessing UMIC support for low carbon and clean technology business contact Tony Walker at [email protected]
To find out more about Shell Springboard visit www.shellspringboard.org.uk
