Student Enterprise Fund

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.

❗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. Graduating students moving to Graduate Visa may apply, however, we strongly recommend booking a 1:1 to discuss your plans before applying.

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 Consultant 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]

Book a 1:1 Appointment

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

What is a startup?
A new business that aims to scale quickly, often through technology, a digital product, or a business model that can grow to reach very large numbers of customers. Startups often seek investment and may aim to expand nationally or internationally. Examples include an innovative app, a software platform, or a disruptive new product or technology. In the early stages, the focus is on proving the idea works and growing fast rather than making a profit, so profit often comes later. This makes startups high risk, but potentially high reward.

How is it different from a small business (SME)?
An SME usually follows a more traditional business model, growing steadily by taking on more customers, staff, locations or stock. Examples include a shop or online store, café, agency, events business, clothing brand, dog training, a niche app or digital service, or another service business. SMEs often become profitable and sustainable much sooner than a startup. They are usually funded through sales, savings or loans rather than major outside investment, and they aren’t usually designed for very rapid national or international scale.

In order to be considered for the BUILD and ACCELERATE Funds, you must show at least two of these:

• Real conversations: you’ve spoken one-to-one with at least 10 potential customers, not friends or family. You asked about the problem you’re trying to solve and how they deal with it now, not whether they like your idea.
• Market knowledge: you know who your competitors are, what they charge and where they fall short. You’ve supported this with reliable sources such as industry reports, library databases, or official statistics.
• Learning: the evidence born from your research/testing/operations has changed your idea in some way, including but not limited to: who it’s for, what features you focus on, or how it will be priced.
• Early traction: people have done more than say they like your idea. They’ve signed up, pre-ordered, paid, used a prototype, signed a letter of intent, or become repeat customers.
• Your research has been collated into a business model document, such as a Lean Model Canvas.

Not enough on its own: a survey of just friends and coursemates, positive feedback only on your idea, or research that only confirmed what you already thought.

If you cannot confidently provide sufficient evidence to the above, please consider applying for the START Fund (up to £500) as this funding is designed to support your validation and research of a idea.

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.
• Spring 2027 Only: 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.

Apply Now!

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.

Panel interviews are expected to take place on Tuesday 8th December 2026.

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.

Funding Limits:

Up to £10,000 in total across all funding pathways combined.

FREELANCE:

• Up to £500 per academic year, and £1,000 in total across multiple years.

START:

• Up to £1,000 per year, and £2,000 in total across multiple years.

BUILD:

• Up to £4,000 per year, and £4,000 in total across multiple years.

ACCELERATE:

• £5,000 via ACCELERATE, which may only be granted once to any individual.