Discover Funding Opportunities

SWEF Enterprise Fund - Start-Up Grants

The SWEF Enterprise Fund provides start-up grants of up to £500 for young entrepreneurs in Cumbria who are launching new businesses. This funding opportunity supports individuals aged 18 to 30 who are either planning to start trading within three months or have been trading for less than two years with monthly revenue below £500. The fund aims to help young people overcome financial challenges that are preventing business development. Eligible applicants must demonstrate that their business idea has the potential to be profitable and become their sole work focus, possess relevant experience or training to succeed, and have specific plans for how grant funds will be spent. The grant can be used for business-critical expenses such as equipment, materials, stock, prototypes, website development, training, and other costs that will significantly impact business growth. All shareholders must be aged 18-30, and applicants must have or be setting up a business bank account. The fund prioritizes supporting UK-sourced goods and services and excludes certain expenses including salary, living costs, debt repayment, new electronic devices (though refurbished versions may be considered), software/app development costs for unlaunched products, and invasive beauty treatments. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, making this an accessible opportunity for young Cumbrian entrepreneurs seeking to launch or grow their early-stage businesses.

SWEF Enterprise Fund – Business Grants

The SWEF Enterprise Fund provides grants to young entrepreneurs in Cumbria who are running new businesses. The fund supports businesses to make transformational changes or take significant steps forward in their development. Eligible applicants must be aged 18-30, currently reside in Cumbria, and operate as a sole trader, limited company, or CIC limited by shares that has been trading for less than two years. The business must be generating a minimum profit of £500 per month and experiencing financial challenges that are limiting development. The grant can be used for equipment to increase profit, prototypes and product development, building websites or booking systems, training, and other business costs that will make a significant impact. Applications involving match funding or purchase of second-hand items are particularly welcome. Successful applicants receive one business grant only, and repeat applications are not permitted. The fund is currently closed and will not accept applications again until April 2026.

Positive Enterprise

The Positive Enterprise programme aims to give young people aged 14-25 years from disadvantaged backgrounds in West Cumbria and Furness the opportunity to have their ideas and ambitions heard and the potential to have them realised. The programme challenges young people to think creatively and in more enterprising ways, empowers them and gives them a voice, supports them to test out their enterprising ideas, and breaks down barriers for aspiring young entrepreneurs by developing an enterprising culture based on encouragement and support. Successful applicants receive expert support, funding and learning opportunities to bring their ideas to life. This includes a grant of £1,000, a learning programme including coaching, mentoring and workshops to help young people develop their enterprising ideas and themselves as leaders. They also have the opportunity to learn from local entrepreneurs who've created successful initiatives, work alongside a peer group of young people committed to creating positive change, and are linked to other organisations to help them put their plan into action. The programme is delivered in partnership with the Centre for Leadership Performance, a not-for-profit organisation that shares ambitions for young people in West Cumbria. Several of its existing programmes align with and complement the aims of Positive Enterprise to support, nurture and empower leaders of the future.