Business Grant Application

** Please fully answer all questions on the application form. If you do not, your grant application will not progress to the next stage **

Grant Information

• Applications can be for grants up to the value of £2,000.
• Applications need to be for UK businesses only.
• Applications for start-up businesses at the pre-revenue stage are initially eligible for up to £500 to help prove the business concept and start revenue generation.
• Applications solely for ‘business ideas’ will not be considered. You must be able to give evidence of significant steps taken to get your business off the ground.
• Grants must be spent within one month of receipt of funds and feedback given after 12 months.

Who is eligible to apply?

• Applicants need to be between the age of 18-30.
• Applications must come from a majority shareholder.
• Applications must demonstrate a financial need for the grant.
• Applications must detail a specific use for the grant funds with links to/quotes for how the funds will be spent.
• Applications that involve ‘match funding’ and/or the purchase of second hand items are particularly welcome.
• Applications can only come from businesses that have (or will have) a business bank account.

For applicants seeking the full business grant please also note:

• Applicants should have the intention to go full time with their business, or already be working in it full time.
• Applications can only be from sole traders/limited companies/CICs limited by shares that have been trading less than 2 years.
• Applications that clearly explain how a grant will transform a business and take it to the next stage are the most likely to be successful.
• If an applicant intends to use a SWEF grant towards the cost of an item that is greater than £2,000, the SWEF grant needs to form 25% or more of the cost.  

How you can use the grant:

(This is not an exhaustive list)

• Equipment that will help a business achieve increased revenues.
• Equipment that will help a business increase production where there is proven demand.
• Materials/stock for a new product line.
• Prototypes.
• Website/booking system build.
• Training.
• Product development.

Please note that SWEF does not provide grant funding for the following:

• Salaries
• Debt repayment
• App development or software development costs
• Rent and utilities
• Stock for an existing product line
• Equipment or products relating to invasive beauty treatments
• Ongoing software subscriptions
• New computers, phones, tablets

‍NB on a match funded basis, SWEF will consider applications for refurbished technology.  However, in order to be successful, the applicant will need to explain why the laptop, tablet or phone will transform their business. A link to the refurbished item will also be required, with an explanation of why they need this piece of specific technology.

Privacy

• The personal information you provide us will only be used for the purposes of assessing your grant application. Paper records are kept in locked cabinets and digital data is stored in password protected areas on an encrypted system. We are obliged to hold data relating to your grant for a specific period under legislation, but it will be securely destroyed at the end of that period.

Need help completing the form?

• If you have any questions regarding this form, or need help filling it in, or would like to give your answers over the phone, then please send a short email to grants@swef.uk and we will gladly assist you.