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 years old.
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
- Applications must come from a majority shareholder
- 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:
- Applicants should have the intention to go full time with their business, or already be working in it full time
- Applications can only be from sole traders/limited companies/CICs limited by shares that have been trading less than 2 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 grant towards the cost of an item that is greater than £2,000, the SWEF grant needs to form 25% or more of the cost.
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
- 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 computers, phones, tablets.
NB: on a match funded basis, SWEF will consider applications for refurbished technology. However, in order to be successful, the applicant will need to explain why the laptop, 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.
- 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.
- 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?
There are no deadlines for the Fund.
How to apply:
To apply for a grant, you must apply online using the relevant application form below.
If you do not live in Kent or Medway, see SWEF’s list of other Community Foundations that accept applications