Deadline Date: December 31, 2026
The South West Enterprise Fund is offering grant funding to young entrepreneurs aged 18–30 in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly to help them start or grow their business ideas.
The program supports young entrepreneurs by addressing financial barriers to self-employment and helping them establish or develop viable businesses. Key focus areas include enabling access to essential business equipment, materials, training, marketing resources, and other practical costs associated with starting or growing a small business. The initiative is designed to promote financial independence and support early-stage business development among young people who may not have access to traditional sources of finance.
Applicants must be aged 18–30 and based in Cornwall. The funding is intended for young people who are starting or running their own businesses and who face barriers to accessing finance. Applications are supported through Cornwall Community Foundation’s regional delivery system, and applicants must apply via the appropriate local foundation route. The program is specifically aimed at individuals rather than established large businesses or organisations, focusing on early-stage entrepreneurs and those in the initial phases of business creation or growth.
The program offers two levels of financial support: start-up grants of up to £500 for initial business costs such as essential equipment, materials, stock, website development, product development, and training; and business grants of up to £2,000 for young entrepreneurs with early-stage trading businesses to support growth and transformation. Funding is intended for one-off or essential business-related costs that help establish or expand a business.
Applications are delivered through Cornwall Community Foundation’s grant-making system in partnership with SWEF, using local knowledge to assess need and suitability. The selection process is designed to ensure support reaches young people who face financial barriers to starting or growing a business. Decisions are made through the Foundation’s established review process for its grant programmes, focusing on applicant need and alignment with programme objectives.
For more information, visit Cornwall Community Foundation.
