SWEF Established Business Grant

This programme provides a business grant for young people aged between 18-30.

We are working in partnership with SWEF to provide business grants to young entrepreneurs in Wiltshire and Swindon that are aged between 18-30. 

SWEF Established Business grants are for individuals whose business has already started trading and is less than 2 years old. You can apply for up to £2,000 to support growth and development. This funding can be used for expanding operations, upgrading equipment, or other business needs that will help increase your revenues.

If your business hasn't started trading yet, and you are looking for a grant to start up your business, then you may be eligible for a SWEF Start-Up grant details of which are available here.

As part of the programme SWEF provides the opportunity to join a network of peers who are also in the early stage of starting their business to share ideas, experiences and learn.

We have produced some Guidance Notes to assist with your application, which are available here.

Please read the full eligibility criteria and information on how to apply below, before filling out the application form by clicking the 'Apply Here' button at the bottom of the page.

Who is eligible to apply?

To be eligible to apply for the SWEF Established Business Grant of up to £2,000, you need to be:

  • aged 18 to 30
  • live in Wiltshire or Swindon
  • running a business that has been trading for less than two years
  • you will have needed to have made some sales or income from your business already
  • from a low-income household or facing financial challenges

We prioritise applications from groups that are often underrepresented in business, including people on low incomes, women, migrants, ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, people with few or no formal qualifications.

For more information on eligible expenses and things you should consider before starting you application see What the Grant Won’t Cover / Top Tips for a Successful Application

What the grant won't cover

While the grants are designed to support many areas of your business, there are a few things it doesn’t cover which includes:

  • salaries
  • repaying debts
  • software businesses or app development
  • rent and utility bills
  • purchasing stock for an existing product line
  • invasive beauty treatments
  • ongoing software subscriptions
  • new computers, phones, or tablets

However, we do make an exception when it comes to refurbished technology. If you need a refurbished laptop, tablet, or phone for your business, SWEF may consider this on a match-funded basis. In your application you’ll need to explain how this technology will transform your business and provide a link to the specific refurbished item you need.

Top tips for a successful grant application

Before you start your application, keep in mind that applications solely based on business ideas won’t be considered. You’ll need to show that you’ve already taken some steps to get your business off the ground, even if it’s just in the early stages.

Taking the time to carefully think through your business idea and showing why your product or service is needed will make your application stronger. The more groundwork you’ve done, the better your chances of success!

Here are a few 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.

By addressing these points, you’ll demonstrate that you’re serious about your business and ready to make the most of the grant!

What happens after I have submitted my application?
  1. Initial Review - within five working days, we'll confirm that we've received your application. We'll check that it's complete and eligible. If anything is missing, we'll contact you, usually by email to ask for the additional documents.
  2. Meeting - you may be invited to a meeting where you can tell us more about your business. This will typically be an online meeting with a staff member from Wiltshire Community Foundation and someone from SWEF. We aim to make a decision on your application within six weeks.
  3. Grant Award - if you're successful, you'll need to accept the grant's terms and conditions. The funds will be transferred directly to your business bank account via BACS. If you don’t have a business bank account yet, you'll need to set one up. Payments will usually be made a month after accepting the terms, and the grant should be used within one month of receiving it.
  4. After the Award - we’ll check in with you around six and 12 months after you receive the grant to see how your business is progressing. You'll also be invited to join a business forum with other grant recipients, providing a great space to share ideas and experiences.
Sources of support

You may find the below websites useful they include tools, templates and other sources of funding

Business Tools & Templates

Business Support in Wiltshire & Swindon

Business Funding

Refurbished IT Equipment

Other suppliers are available, and we recommend searching on the internet for the best deals

Applications are open year-round and will be considered periodically throughout the year.

Apply here

If you have any queries please contact us on 01380 738985 or email info@wiltshirecf.org.uk


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