Funding Opportunities
Explore some of the available internal and external funding opportunities for starting up, or developing your business.
*APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED*
UWS Business Seed Fund​
Start-up Business Funding
About the UWS Business Seed Fund
The fund provides individuals with awards of up to £5,000 to support their early-stage businesses. This funding is applicable to participants of our Kick Start Programme, and individuals involved with our UWS Business Incubators/programmes.
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UWS would require to see evidence of your own attempts to start a business with this funding.
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This funding is an award which means that successful applicants will not be required to repay the university.
This funding is proudly supported by The Education Group London.
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What is this funding for?
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This funding can help you to pay for start-up costs, but can also help towards other payments, including the following:
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Legal fees for setting up a legal entity for the enterprise, and/or registration as a charity or Community Interest Company
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Website, branding and marketing materials
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Business stationery
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Market research
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Insurance
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Business or residential rent
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Living expenses
Who can apply for this funding?
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Applicants must be based in the UK
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Must be a current student, staff, or recent graduate (within the last 2 years) from the University of the West of Scotland (Scottish and London Campuses)
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Must have or are currently working on an early-stage business within the UK
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Must have participated in at least one or more of the Kick Start Student Innovation Programme activities including our workshops, competitions, or accelerator programme (this is for current or previous participants), or must be involved with one of a UWS incubation spaces/programmes (London, Paisley, Lanarkshire).
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International students or graduates applying for this funding must have a valid UK visa.
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Application Process​
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Stage 1 will require you to complete and submit your application form using the button below. You must attach a completed Business Plan within your application. You can download our Business Plan template below.​ Once you have submitted your application and after the application deadline closes, it will be reviewed by our team at UWS, and if your business is eligible and successful then we will contact you within 2-3 weeks to undertake a Stage 2 Assessment.
Applicants will be notified via email that their application has been successful and the funding amount available to them. Applicants must accept this funding within a 48-hour period.
Stage 2 Throughout the 12 month period, our team may invite you to have an online meeting and this will provide an opportunity for you to discuss your business, motivation, and progress with your start-up business.
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Funding will be released in instalments throughout the year. Successful applicants will be required to submit at least two progress reports which provides UWS with evidence that you are working on your business throughout the year, and failure to do so may result in the funding being stopped.
Progress reports will be required to be submitted in 6 months and 12 months into your own allocated folder. You can also include other progress that you have made into this folder.
Your progress reports will be reviewed by our team.
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Download Business Plan Template
Download Progress Report Template (Successful Applicants Only)
Who can apply?
Individuals who have a potential start-up business, and require funding support to develop that business can apply for this funding.
What do I get?
Up to £5,000 worth of funding to contribute towards starting up your business.
How do
i apply?
To apply for this funding, please complete the application above.
FEB
Application Dates
Applications are currently open, please see the dates below.
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Applications Open: Jul 03
Applications Close: Aug 04
Contact Us​
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If you have any questions about this funding or whether you are eligible, please contact studententerprise@uws.ac.uk
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