SWEF - enterprise and business grants

Who is eligible to apply and what can the grant be used for?

To be eligible to apply, you need to be:

• aged 18 to 30
• living in Wiltshire or Swindon
• planning to start your own business within the next 6 months or running your own business which has been trading for no more than 2 years
• without easy access to other sources of finance

Grants can be used for:

• equipment that will help a business bring in a second revenue stream
• equipment that will help a business increase production where there is a proven demand
• materials/stock for a new product line
• prototypes
• website/booking build system build
• training
• product development

The grant cannot be used for: 

• salaries 
• debt repayment
• rent and utilities
• stock for an existing product line
• ongoing software subscriptions
• new computers, tablets and phones. 

NB On a match funded basis, we can consider applications for refurbished technology. However, in order for this to be considered you will need to :

• Explain why the laptop, tablet or phone will transform your business
• Provide a link to the refurbished item with an explanation of why you need this piece of specific technology

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.

What happens after I have submitted my application?

• Initial assessment - when we have received your application, we will check it is complete and eligible. If you have not submitted all the supporting documents, we will contact you, usually by email and ask you to send them to us

• 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 with 2 people, a member of staff from Wiltshire Community Foundation and someone from the SWEF

• 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 you by BACS. You will need to spend the funds within 1 year

• After the award - we will contact you, usually at 6 and 12 months after you received the grant to find out how your business is progressing. You will also have the opportunity to take part in a business forum with other businesses that have been awarded a grant. The forum offers a space to share, exchange ideas, experiences and learn

Further guidance on the programme is available here and we ask you to read the document before starting your application.