Start-Up 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 £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.

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.