Student Enterprise Fund - START Pathway

Apply for up to £500 to START and new business.

Applications are now open. Applications close midnight, Sunday 24 November.

To explore eligibility or get feedback on an application form, book a 1:1 with the Student Enterprise Team.

Who is the START Pathway For?

The START pathway is suitable for students at the very early stages in their entrepreneurial journey. It is most suited to students wanting to explore or validate a new business idea or social enterprise, or for students needing funding to kick start or launch their business activities. It may also be suitable for providing essential cash-flow for existing early-stage small businesses. This pathway is suitable for businesses and social enterprises across all industry sectors.

What can START Funding be used for?

START funding can be used to support a wide range of early-stage business expenses. Example use of funds might include market research, developing a prototype, launching a website, business software or administrative costs, essential equipment, initial stock, marketing materials, training to upskill your team, conferences and much more.

Am I eligible for START Funding?

At a minimum, applicants must be able to provide at least secondary evidence of the market opportunity for their business or idea, as well as articulate plans to validate the business opportunity further through customer research.
START Pathway funding is available to undergraduates, post-graduates and recent graduates (up to 18 months post-graduation), with a new business idea, or those leading an early-stage business or social enterprise across a broad spectrum of different industries.
Applicants must be legally eligible to start a business in the UK (unfortunately students studying on an International Student Visa are NOT eligible to apply).

Applicants who have previously received Student Enterprise Funding, are eligible to apply for further START funding, within the following parameters:

Students must provide evidence of successful spend, impact of the previous funding awarded and demonstrate realistic projections based on the further funding required.
Students can win up to a maximum £1k per year and up to £2k across multiple years for the same business via the START pathway.
Students can win up to a maximum total of £10k, across multiple years, for the same business, across all three funding pathways.

How do I apply?

Applications are now open. Applications close midnight, Sunday 24 November.

Please complete and submit an online application form and 2 minute video pitch (see details in application form) before the deadline: midnight, Sunday 24 November 2024.

Apply Now – START

Key Dates:

Applications Close: midnight, Sunday 24 November 2024

Online Interview Panels: Monday 9 and Tuesday 10 December 2024

Funding Decisions: Monday 16 December 2024

Payments Received: January 2025

If you are interested in applying for the START Pathway or have any questions regarding eligibility, we highly recommend you book a 1:1 appointment with a member of the Student Enterprise team.

Book a 1:1

You can contact the team at studententerprise@soton.ac.uk

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