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. 

 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]

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

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.

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 the week of 7 – 12 December. Exact dates will be confirmed and communicated closer to the time.

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.

In order to be considered for the BUILD and START 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 their problem and how they deal with it now, not just whether they like your idea.
• Market knowledge: you know who your competitors are, what they charge and where they fall short. You’ve used reliable sources such as industry reports, library databases, or official statistics.
• Learning: the evidence born from your research 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 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 the idea, or research that only confirmed what you already thought.

❗If you cannot confidently provide evidence to the above, you can apply to the START Fund (up to £500) as this funding is designed to support you at this stage.

What is a startup?
A new business with the aim and potential to scale quickly, often through technology, a digital product, or a business model that can grow to reach very large numbers of customers. Startups are often looking for investment and may aim to expand nationally or internationally. Examples could include an innovative app, software platform, or new disruptive business model or technology. Startups are typically at a stage where they are demonstrating an idea works over a prolonged period, so profit often comes later, and is often high risk and high reward.

How is it different from a small business (SME)?
This is a more traditional business model that grows steadily by taking on more customers, staff, locations, or stock. This could include a shop, café, agency, events business, clothing brand, dog training, niche app or digital service, or other service business. SMEs can grow successfully and become profitable much sooner than a Startup, but they are not usually designed for very rapid international scale or major outside investment.