Apply for Social Innovation Challenge Fund (United Kingdom)

Organisations are invited to create and run business support programmes for groups like women and minority ethnic community entrepreneurs. They can offer direct support or guide these groups to existing public services they may not typically use or even be aware of.

The fund will consider applications from programs that connect and support new entrepreneurs and early-stage startups in Glasgow. However, the fund does not provide direct financial support for individual businesses to grow.

Objectives

• The main goal of the Social Innovation Challenge Fund is to help and support organisations to develop new services (or expand existing ones) that:
  • Build skills
  • Encourage the sharing of ideas and promote collaboration.
  • Offer expert advice
  • Increase innovative thinking
  • The fund will focus on filling the gaps in Glasgow’s existing startup support system, not duplicating what is already available.

Themes

• The fund is seeking applications that address one or more of these four key themes:
  • Encouraging New Entrepreneurial Engagement
    • Projects that engage underrepresented groups in Glasgow and help them explore entrepreneurship.
  • Positioning Glasgow as a Startup-Friendly City
    • Initiatives that reduce barriers and help make Glasgow a more accessible and attractive place to start a business.
  • Supporting Networks for Underrepresented Communities
    • Programs that develop or promote networks, formal or informal, that support businesses led by Minority Ethnic or other underrepresented groups.
  • Promoting Collaborative Business Support Services
    • Efforts that highlight and connect entrepreneurs with Glasgow City Council’s business support services and those offered by partner organizations, promoting a team-based approach.
• Applications should align with these themes and aim to address gaps in support for underrepresented communities.

Funding Information

• A total of £250,000 is available for projects running from April 2025 through the end of March 2026.
  • Typical Grant Amount: Applications around £50,000 are preferred, but other amounts will be considered.
  • Funding Limits: Minimum application amount is £30,000; maximum is £100,000.

Eligibility Criteria

• The fund is open to applications from organisations that align with the aims and objectives of the fund and;
  • are operating within Glasgow, or
  • seeking to operate in Glasgow and can demonstrably show an understanding of the Glasgow business eco-system.
• The fund is open to a range of organisations, including but not limited to;
  • Organisations with experience supporting entrepreneurs: These can be groups already working with underrepresented communities to help people start or grow businesses or social enterprises
  • Established organisations launching new projects: Organisations interested in creating new initiatives that support pre-start or early-stage startups, especially those that will foster innovation and build connections between business support services and underrepresented groups.
  • Third Sector organisations and Social Enterprises: Groups focused on encouraging entrepreneurship and startup development within underrepresented communities.
• Eligible applicants include:
  • Private or Third Sector Organisations—Groups in these sectors can apply if they are looking to develop or expand projects that meet the fund’s objectives.

For more information, visit Glasgow City Council.