UK Grants & Funding for Women Entrepreneurs and Solopreneur

If you're a female entrepreneur or solopreneur in the UK, securing funding for your business can feel like a hurdle, but there's good news—there are numerous grants and funding opportunities designed specifically to support women like you. Whether you're building an ecommerce platform, crafting bespoke goods, or working on a tech startup, these financial boosts can help you grow and scale your business.

Here’s a roundup of the top grants and funding opportunities for UK women in business:

1. Women in Innovation Awards

The Women in Innovation Awards are a golden opportunity for women entrepreneurs making an impact. With grants of £50,000 to £75,000, alongside mentoring and business support, this programme helps women leading businesses in areas like sustainability, healthcare, and technology.

  • Eligibility: Female founders or co-founders tackling societal, environmental, or economic challenges.
  • Funding: £50,000–£75,000.
  • Application: Opens annually in August, with winners announced the following year.
    Apply here.

2. NatWest Back Her Business

For those just starting out, the Back Her Business initiative is a brilliant route for raising capital through crowdfunding. NatWest will match up to £5,000 of what you raise, and you'll also receive mentoring, perfect for ecommerce and creative ventures like crafting.

  • Eligibility: Female-led UK startups.
  • Funding: Up to £5,000 in matched funding.
  • Application: Open year-round. You’ll need to set up a crowdfunding project with a minimum goal of £1,000.
    Learn more here.

3. Cartier Women’s Initiative

If you're a female entrepreneur working on a social or environmental impact project, the Cartier Women’s Initiative offers up to £80,000 in funding. You’ll also benefit from tailored mentorship, networking opportunities, and global exposure.

  • Eligibility: Women leading early-stage businesses.
  • Funding: Up to £80,000.
  • Application: Annually, with applications opening mid-year.
    Apply here.

4. Hatch Female Founders Accelerator

Hatch Enterprise offers a tailored accelerator programme for female entrepreneurs, with up to £1,000 in grant funding. Beyond the financials, you’ll receive business coaching, mentoring, and access to a network of like-minded women.

  • Eligibility: Early-stage female founders.
  • Funding: Up to £1,000.
  • Application: Ongoing.
    Learn more here.

5. Simply Business Business Boost

The Business Boost competition offers £25,000 to UK small businesses, and many previous winners have been women. This grant is ideal for ecommerce and crafting businesses looking for that extra push to scale.

  • Eligibility: Small UK-based businesses.
  • Funding: £25,000.
  • Application: Annually.
    Learn more here.

6. Fund Her North

If you’re based in Northern England, Fund Her North offers both investment and business expertise for women-led businesses. Whether you're pre-revenue or scaling up, this network has your back.

  • Eligibility: Female entrepreneurs in Northern England.
  • Funding: Varies depending on the business stage.
  • Application: Ongoing.
    Find out more.

7. UnLtd Awards for Social Enterprises

For women running businesses that make a social impact, UnLtd offers funding up to £8,000 for startups and £18,000 for scaling businesses. Perfect if your ecommerce or crafting business also benefits your community.

  • Eligibility: Socially-driven businesses.
  • Funding: £8,000 for startups, £18,000 for scaling businesses.
  • Application: Periodically throughout the year.
    Learn more here.

8. Futures for Women

Futures for Women offers interest-free loans of £1,000 to help women enhance their careers, whether you're training for a new skill or growing your business. Ideal for women in crafting who need upskilling or equipment.

  • Eligibility: Women seeking professional, commercial, or technical skills.
  • Funding: £1,000.
  • Application: Ongoing.
    Learn more here.

9. Astia

For high-growth, women-led businesses, Astia offers equity investment, typically between £400,000 and £650,000. They focus on startups that are past the concept stage and have already demonstrated market potential.

  • Eligibility: Women-led businesses with proven traction.
  • Funding: £400,000–£650,000.
  • Application: Ongoing.
    Apply here.

10. AnitaB.org Abie Awards

The Abie Awards, run by AnitaB.org, focus on women in technology and provide grants up to £50,000. The awards recognise leaders, innovators, and those making a social impact in tech.

  • Eligibility: Women in tech.
  • Funding: Up to £50,000.
  • Application: Annually, multiple award categories available.
    Learn more here.

11. Local Council Grants

Don’t forget about local council grants! Many councils across the UK offer grants for small businesses, including those led by women. These grants are often industry-specific, supporting digital transformation, innovation, or economic development in the local area.

  • Eligibility: Varies by region and council.
  • Funding: Varies.
  • Application: Check with your local council for specific programmes.

12. Prince’s Trust Enterprise Programme

For younger entrepreneurs (aged 18-30), the Prince’s Trust provides financial support and mentoring to help launch and grow businesses, including those in ecommerce and creative sectors.

  • Eligibility: Entrepreneurs aged 18-30.
  • Funding: Varies.
  • Application: Ongoing.
    Learn more here.

13. Creative Industry-Specific Grants

For women in the creative sector, such as crafting, the Arts Council England and Women Make Music offer grants to help you grow your business and explore new opportunities.

From creative entrepreneurs to tech innovators, these grants and funding opportunities can help female entrepreneurs across the UK grow their businesses and make an impact. Whether you’re looking for equity investment, mentoring, or a straightforward cash grant, there’s support out there to help you thrive. Dive into these opportunities, review eligibility criteria, and get those applications in—your business’s next big leap could be just around the corner!

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