Kent Community Foundation is working in partnership with SWEF to provide two different business grants to young entrepreneurs in Kent and Medway, aged 18-30.
Grants are available to cover essential costs as you turn your business idea into reality or to support growth and development if your business has started trading and is less than 2.5 years old.
Deadline for applications is Friday 21st November.
Grants overview
- Applications can be for grants up to the value of £2,000
- Applications for start-up businesses at the pre-revenue stage are initially eligible for up to £500 to help prove the business concept and start revenue generation
- Applications need to be for UK businesses only
- Applications solely for ‘business ideas’ will not be considered. You must be able to give evidence of significant steps taken to get your business off the ground
- Grants must be spent within one month of receipt of funds and feedback given after 12 months.
Who can apply?
- Applicants need to be between the age of 18-30
- The location of your business’ services must be in Kent or Medway (if you live elsewhere, see SWEF’s list of other Community Foundations that accept applications)
- Applications must come from a majority shareholder (A majority shareholder owns more than 50% of the business. Applications are also assessed on shareholder age and involvement. Shareholders aged over 30, who are actively involved in the business, render an application ineligible. Exceptions may be considered case-by-case. If your shareholder set up is unusual, or you are not sure if it will make your application ineligible, please email individuals@kentcf.org.uk and we can advise, before you progress your application further).
- Applications must demonstrate a financial need for the grant
- Applications must detail a specific use for the grant funds with links to/quotes for how the funds will be spent
- Applications that involve ‘match funding’ and/or the purchase of second-hand items are particularly welcome
- Applications can only come from businesses that have a business bank account.
For applicants seeking the full business grant please also note:
- Ideally a Business Grant applicant's business is their sole work focus, however, SWEF will accept applicants who can illustrate a clear and obvious path towards it being their sole work focus.
- Applications can only be from sole traders/limited companies/CICs limited by shares that have been trading less than 2.5 years
- Applications that clearly explain how a grant will transform a business and take it to the next stage are the most likely to be successful
- If an applicant intends to use a SWEF business grant to help fund an item costing more than £2,000, SWEF may consider awarding up to £2,000 towards a single item or piece of equipment, provided the total cost does not exceed £10,000
What does the fund cover?
- Equipment that will help a business achieve increased revenues
- Equipment that will help a business increase production where there is proven demand
- Materials/stock for a new product line
- Refurbished IT hardware - computers, tablets, phones (cameras, printers and card readers can be new)
- Prototypes
- Website/booking system build
- Training
- Product development.
What does the fund not cover?
- Salaries
- Debt repayment
- App development or software development costs
- Rent and utilities
- Stock for an existing product line
- Equipment or products relating to invasive beauty treatments
- Ongoing software subscriptions
- New IT hardware e.g. computers, tablets, phones.
NB: on a match funded basis SWEF will consider applications for refurbished IT hardware (SWEF may cover 50% of the cost and ask how you plan to cover the other 50% of the cost). However, in order to be successful, the applicant will need to explain why the computer, tablet or phone will transform their business. A link to the refurbished item will also be required, with an explanation of why they need this piece of specific technology.
Application process:
In the application, you will need to:
- Tell us about your business and how a grant would help you to make it more successful or support start-up costs.
- Provide a breakdown of specific costs to help us understand how you would use the grant (without this information, your application will be rejected).
- A copy of a recent bank statement must be uploaded as part of the application process. We can only pay grants into a business bank account.
- Avoid general terms like “marketing” that do not provide enough detail about how you will spend the grant.
- Include any additional documents if you want to, such as your business plan (if you already have one).
- Provide a reference to support your application. Your referee should be a person who can tell us about your character or abilities and can confirm your circumstances. This could be a tutor, support worker or someone who you have worked for.
Please share this link (kentcf.tfaforms.net/44) with the individual you would like to provide a reference for you. Once you have submitted your application and your referee has submitted their reference, we will be able to progress with your grant application.
Tips to help strengthen your application:
Market Research: Have you explored whether there’s demand for your product or service? You don’t need to overcomplicate this—ask friends, family, or local businesses for feedback or advice. It’s a great way to gauge interest and gather helpful insights.
Cost Planning: Have you thought about your monthly expenses? Consider things like staff wages, rent, utilities, taxes, insurance, and any other costs that may come up as you build or grow your business.
Income Projection: How much do you expect to earn each month from sales or services? Estimating your potential income will give you a clearer picture of your business’s financial health.
The most successful applicants are those who:
- Request a specific amount in their grant application
- Provide a specific reason for their grant application
- Have committed time and resources to the business
- Have unsuccessfully tried to raise finance elsewhere.
By addressing these points, you will demonstrate that you are serious about your business and ready to make the most of the grant.
Once you have submitted your application:
- Initial Assessment – When we have received your application, we will check it is complete and eligible. We may email you to ask for clarification or additional information.
- Meeting – We may invite you to a meeting where you will be able to tell us more about your business. The meeting will usually take place online and will be with one of the SWEF team.
- Award – If you are awarded a grant, you will be asked to accept the terms and conditions of the award and the grant will be paid directly to your business bank account. Grants must be spent within one month of receipt of funds and feedback given after 12 months
- After the award – you will have the opportunity to take part in an online business forum with other businesses that have been awarded a grant. The forum offers a space to exchange ideas, experiences and learn. We will also request feedback, 12 months after you received the grant to find out how your business is progressing. Feedback will be gathered via a short online form.
Grantee Commitments – all grantees are expected to do the following:
- Attend a SWEF meetup / network event
- Join the closed SWEF Facebook group
- Sign up for our monthly newsletter
- We request feedback after 12 months
If your application is unsuccessful – the funder will explain why and may provide you with some feedback on how to improve your business case.
When to apply?
Applications are currently closed and will reopen in the autumn.
How to apply:
To apply for a grant, you must apply online using the relevant application form below.
Business Grants application form
Share this reference form with your referee.
If your business is not located in Kent or Medway, see SWEF’s list of other Community Foundations that accept applications