Deadline Date: October 31, 2026
The Start-Up Grant funding opportunity offers young entrepreneurs financial support to help early-stage businesses grow and overcome initial challenges.
The grant supports the use of funds for equipment that will help achieve increased profit, materials or stock, prototypes and product development, building a website or booking system, training, and other business costs that will make a significant impact.
This start-up grant provides up to £500 for businesses that are less than two years old and generating under £500 per month in turnover. Applicants with no current revenue can still apply if they have taken meaningful steps to launch their business, such as setting up social media pages, developing prototype products, or researching market gaps. The funding is provided over a 12-month period to help businesses move toward sustainability and growth.
To be eligible, applicants must be between 18 and 30 years old and currently reside in Hampshire, Southampton, Portsmouth, or the Isle of Wight. The business must be UK-based and actively trading for less than two years. Applicants should be facing financial challenges that are limiting their ability to develop their business further and must hold majority ownership.
Additionally, applicants are required to have a business bank account, as grant funds are only disbursed into such accounts. The business structure must fall under sole trader, limited company, or community interest company limited by shares. There must also be a clear intention for the business to become the applicant’s primary focus of work.
The purpose of the grant is to enable businesses to reach their next stage of development by addressing key financial barriers and investing in areas that will drive growth and long-term sustainability.
For more information, visit HIWCF.
