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We’re deviating from our regular schedule to bring you the best new business ideas spotted in the last 12 months—smart concepts that will continue to provide entrepreneurs with plenty of opportunities in 2009. Next up: eco & sustainability. It’s no surprise that the green sector continues to be a hotbed of innovation. Ten of our favourites:

1. Ecovative — Instead of Styrofoam, fungus and rice hulls
2. Wattson, HomeJoule, Ambient, AlertMe — Visualising energy use
3. La Petite Reine — Cargo bikes for greener business deliveries in congested cities
4. Green Homes Concierge — Green concierge reduces home’s carbon footprint
5. Qurrent — Neighbourhood approach to renewable energy
6. RoofRay — Using Google maps to determine a home’s solar potential
7. Fiat, Microsoft and Honda — Feedback for greener driving
8. Carrotmob — Crowd clout meets eco persuasion
9. My Farm, Your Backyard Farmer — Homegrown veggies without the sweat
10. Free Green — Free plans for eco homes

Want more? Check out our picks for 10 industries.