Aged 18-30 & have recently started a business?
Apply for a Business Grant of up to £2,000 to Grow Your Own Business
If you are struggling to invest in your business venture, we may be able to help. We love working with talented and enthusiastic people and seeing them take their business to the next level.
Our Approach
At SWEF, we believe that every individual has the potential to contribute tremendously to society and should have an opportunity to fulfil that potential.
Our aim is to support entrepreneurs and make their journey a tiny bit easier.
Funding
We back individuals who struggle to access funding elsewhere and show initiative in trying to do better by themselves and their community.
Through grants and support, we provide opportunities for young people who otherwise would not have access to funding.
Independence
This access to funding allows individuals to become self-employed, start up a business or invest in their new business.
This can lead to greater independence and increased self-confidence.
Development
Running your own business can lead to people making substantial improvements to their lives, the communities they live in and the wider economy.
Underpinning our work is the understanding that the initiative and hard work of individuals are what determine their success.
All we do is provide a little financial assistance and support to help them develop.
Apply for a SWEF grant
to transform your business
Choose your grant amount then apply through your local community foundation.
Start-Up Grant Eligibility
Grant Information
- Applications can be for grants up to the value of £500.
- 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.
- Business visibility is required - e.g social media presence, website, leaflets
- Grants must be spent within one month of receipt of funds.
Who is eligible to apply?
- Applicants need to be between the age of 18-30.
- Applications need to be for UK businesses only.
- Applications must come from a majority shareholder.
- Applicants must demonstrate the financial need for a grant, i.e. they don't have access to other forms of funding such as a bank loan or help from friends and family.
Business Criteria
- Applications can only come from businesses that have (or will have) a business bank account. If you are unable to open a business bank account please contact us to discuss.
- Businesses must be looking to generate revenue within 3 months of application.
- If an applicant is not yet full-time, they will need to prove that they intend to go full time as soon as possible. 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.
How you can use the grant:
(This is not an exhaustive list)
- Equipment that will help a business achieve increased revenues. Applications that involve the purchase of second hand items are particularly welcome.
- Materials/stock
- Prototypes and product development
- Website/booking system build
- Training
- Goods and services provided within the UK are preferred
Please note that SWEF does not provide grant funding for the following:
- Salaries
- Debt repayment
- App development or software development costs. Apps/software should be ready to launch or already launched at the point of applying to SWEF.
- Rent and utilities
- Equipment or products relating to invasive beauty treatments such as botox, aesthetics, semi permanent makeup, facial tattoos, dermal fillers.
- 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.
Business Grant Eligibility
Grant Information
- Applications can be for grants up to the value of £2,000.
- Grants must be spent within one month of receipt of funds.
- Grant amounts are commensurate with the monthly profit of the business and the business opportunity.
Who is eligible to apply?
- Applicants need to be between the age of 18-30.
- Applications need to be for UK businesses only.
- Applications must come from a majority shareholder.
- Applicants must demonstrate the financial need for a grant, i.e. they don't have access to other forms of funding such as a bank loan or help from friends and family.
Business Criteria
- Applications that involve ‘match funding’ are particularly welcome.
- Applications can only come from businesses that have a business bank account.
- Applicants who are working full-time on their business are more likely to be successful with their grant application. If an applicant is not yet full-time, they will need to prove that they intend to go full time as soon as possible.
- 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. Applications that involve the purchase of second hand items are particularly welcome.
- Prototypes and product development costs.
- Website/booking system build.
- Training.
- Goods and services provided within the UK are preferred.
Please note that SWEF does not provide grant funding for the following:
- Salaries
- Debt repayment
- App development or software development costs. Apps/software should be ready to launch or already launched at the point of applying to SWEF.
- Rent and utilities
- Stock for an existing product line
- Equipment or products relating to invasive beauty treatments such as botox, aesthetics, semi permanent make-up, facial tattoos, dermal fillers.
- 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.
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.
Success Stories
We're proud to support young entrepreneurs
Looking to Develop Your Business?
Our business grants offer young entrepreneurs up to £2,000 to aid with business expenses such as the purchase of equipment or product development.
