Student Enterprise Fund
Have a business idea? Start, build, or grow it with funding support!
Applications to the Student Enterprise Fund are OPEN NOW!
*Applications will close at 23:59 on Sunday 10 May 2026*
Starting your own business can be exciting and rewarding but it often comes with challenges. One of the biggest barriers is access to funding, whether you’re just getting started or ready to grow.
The Student Enterprise Fund is here to support you at every stage of your journey.
We offer equity-free funding from £250 up to £5,000 to help you take your next step -whether that’s testing a new idea, launching your business, or scaling an existing venture.
Who can apply?
We support University of Southampton students and recent graduates (18 months for START, BUILD, FREELANCE AND SOCIAL IMPACT, 36 months for ACCELERATE post-graduation), across a wide range of ventures, whether you’re working on:
- A brand-new idea
- An early-stage business
- An established venture ready to grow
- A small business
- A scalable startup business
- Freelance work
- A social enterprise
- A social impact or community project
Whether you’re at the idea stage or already generating traction, there’s a pathway designed for you.
Funding pathways
Our funding is structured into tailored pathways depending on your stage:
START (up to £500)
Perfect for early-stage ideas. Use this funding to explore, validate, and begin launching your small business, start-up or
BUILD (up to £2,000)
For ventures (small business, start-up or )with customer validation. If you’ve spoken to customers or have initial traction, BUILD can help you develop, launch, or grow your offering.
ACCELERATE (up to £5,000) – find out more about this fund here
Designed for businesses with strong validation, progress and momentum to date. Ideal if you need funding to reach the next major milestone or scale your existing traction.
Supported by Santander Universities.
FREELANCE (up to £250)
For students launching or growing a freelance service — whether you’re just starting out or looking to expand.
SOCIAL IMPACT FUND (up to £500)
Supporting non-commercial, community-focused or social impact initiatives.
What you can use funding for
Funding is flexible and can support activities such as:
- Product or service development
- Marketing and customer acquisition
- Equipment or materials
- Launch costs
- Testing and validating ideas
Why apply?
- Equity-free funding – you keep full ownership
- Tailored support for every stage
- Support to accelerate your idea or business
To discuss eligibility or get feedback on your application, book a Student Enterprise 1:1 Appointment with a member of the Student Enterprise team.
❗We strongly recommend booking a 1:1 appointment – It’s one of the best ways to strengthen your application and improve your chances of success.
If you have further questions at this stage, you can also email the Student Enterprise Team at [email protected]
Apply for Funding – Open Now!
*Applications will close at 23:59 on Sunday 10 May 2026*
Applying for funding is now simpler. A single application form will guide you through a few quick questions to help match your current stage, idea, business, freelance work, or project to the most suitable funding support. It will also help you work out how much you can apply for. Just follow the prompts in the application and we will consider which fund route best suits your idea.
❗We strongly recommend all those interested in applying for funding read all of the information on this page in full.
FAQs (Frequently asked questions)
Am I eligible?
Student Enterprise Funding is available to undergraduate, postgraduate taught, and postgraduate research students, and recent graduates (up to 36 months post-graduation, depending on the pathway and stage of business).
Students can apply as individuals, a partnership or group. If applying as a partnership or group, please complete a single application and assign a lead applicant.
I am on a visa - can I apply?
❗Please note: students on an International Student Visa are not usually eligible to apply. However, applications may be considered if you can demonstrate a clear pathway to an Innovator Founder or Global Talent Visa. Additionally, if your business has a social impact and you plan to take this back to your home country, we will consider your application for within the social impact pathway.
We strongly encourage international students and graduates to contact the team before applying so we can advise on the most suitable support available.
The Social Impact Fund is available to support business and projects that may be operating globally.
Book a Student Enterprise 1:1 Appointment with a member of the Student Enterprise team.
Students on a Student visa should be aware that there are restrictions on self-employment and business activity while studying.
Alongside our main funding pathways, there are opportunities to access support for enterprise skills development, idea exploration, and early-stage activity, depending on your circumstances.
If you are an international student or graduate and are interested in applying for funding or support, we recommend booking a one-to-one appointment with the team before applying.
If that is not possible before the deadline, you are still welcome to get in touch, and we will advise on the most appropriate next step. You can also email the Student Enterprise Team at [email protected]
Visa Information
- For guidance on what you can and cannot do on a Student Visa, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/student-visa
- For guidance on the requirements of an Innovation Founder Visa, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/innovator-founder-visa
- For guidance on the requirements of an Global Talent Visa, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/global-talent
How to apply?
APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN NOW!
All applications are completed through a single online form, including an application and a 2-minute video pitch (details provided in the form).
- For awards of £250 and up to £500, funding decisions are made based on your application form and attached video pitch.
- For awards of up to £2,000, shortlisted applicants will be invited to an online panel interview. You’ll deliver a 3-minute pitch followed by up to 10 minutes of Q&A with the panel.
- For £5,000 applications, you will be directed to apply via the Santander X platform. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an online panel interview, with a 3-minute pitch followed by up to 10 minutes of Q&A with the panel.
Panel interview expectations
Expectations for the Panel Interviews (for applications over £500 only):
Applications for £500 or under do not require a panel interview.
- Applicants will be short-listed based on the strength of their application form video pitch. Unsuccessful applicants, who do not make the short-list will be notified at this stage.
- Short-listed applicants will be invited to panel and asked to create a three-minute pitch presentation. The presentation should provide a concise business overview. Further details of what the presentation is expected to include will be provided in your Panel invite email.
- Following your presentation there will be approximately 10 minutes for questions from the Panel.
- Panel interviews will be held on-line via Microsoft Teams.
- Please contact the Student Enterprise Team at [email protected] with any accessibility requirements or concerns.
I have previously been awarded funding - can I apply again?
Applicants who have previously received funding from the Student Enterprise Fund pathways are eligible to apply to future rounds for additional funding.
Returning applicants must provide evidence of successful spend, impact of the previous funding awarded and must demonstrate realistic projections based on the further funding required.
Want to discuss your eligibility for funding or get feedback on an application?
Book a Student Enterprise 1:1 Appointment with a member of the Student Enterprise team.
❗We strongly recommend booking a 1:1 appointment – It’s one of the best ways to strengthen your application and improve your chances of success.
If you have further questions at this stage, you can also email the Student Enterprise Team at [email protected]