Fledgling firms with a focus on the environment are being targeted by the organisers of a competition with a top prize worth more than £15,000. Bosses at Milton Park, near Didcot, have joined forces with Oxford Brookes University's Business School for a second year to offer new and start-up companies the chance to win free business accommodation and mentoring.

The Green Shoots award is open to companies planning to launch over the next six months, or which have set up since June last year.

Entrants must have a business plan or company that has a strong environmental connection, for example by selling an environmentally-sound product or service, or putting sustainable practices at the heart of the operation.

The judges include Roger Mumby-Croft, assistant dean of enterprise and management development at Oxford Brookes University's Business School, Rick De Blaby, chief executive of Milton Park, and Prof Russell Smith, chief executive of business advisers Business Boffins.

Last year the competition's winners were Oxford Wood Recycling, a start-up firm which collects, re-sells and recycles waste wood. The other joint winner was Lime Technology, which produces energy-saving building products, including hemp and lime building blocks.

The deadline for entries is September 15.

n For more information, visit www.miltonpark.co.uk/greenshoots