Deadline: 18 October 2025
The Cornwall Community Foundation is inviting applications for its South West Enterprise Fund to support a variety of young Cornish people aged between 18 – 30 years old who do not have the initial starter funds to get their business ideas off the ground.
Funding Information
- SWEF welcome applications from young entrepreneurs for starter funding of up to £2,000.
What it will support?
- The fund is for two sets of young people
- Those who have already shown some initiative in getting their new business off the ground
- Those who have an idea and need some funding to get their idea off the ground
- To be eligible for a grant you must:
- Be resident in Cornwall or the Isles of Scilly
- Be aged between 18-30 years old
- Be able to demonstrate your business idea and know what products or services you want to provide or have been trading for under 2 years.
What it won’t support?
- Individuals based outside Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly
- Individuals outside of the stated age range (18-30 years old)
Eligible Uses
- Eligible use of Funds:
- Equipment that will help a business bring in a second revenue stream
- 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
Ineligible Uses
- Ineligible use of Funds:
- Salaries
- Debt repayment
- Rent and utilities
- Stock for an existing product line
- Ongoing software subscriptions
- New computers, phones, tablets
- They can consider applications for refurbished technology. However, in order for this to be considered, you will need to:
- Explain why the laptop, tablet or phone will transform their business.
- Provide a link to the refurbished item with an explanation of why they need this piece of specific technology.
- As part of the application process, the applicant will be asked some questions about their business, the journey taken up until now, how their business will benefit the local community, how it will impact their family life, how will they make a profit and, if appropriate, how they intend to grow the business.
Eligibility Criteria
- Individuals based in Cornwall and aged between 18 and 30 years old
- They support not-for-profit:
- local charities
- community and voluntary groups
- social enterprises
- You don’t need to be a registered charity but your activities must be considered charitable.
For more information, visit Cornwall Community Foundation.
