Funding your business or freelance career

Funding to grow your business idea or freelance career

Got a business idea you’re ready to develop, or want to start freelancing but need some financial support to get things moving?

Through Solent Enterprise, current students and recent graduates (within the past year) can access practical support to develop their ideas and may have the opportunity to apply for grant funding* to help get their business or freelance career started.

As this is grant funding, you won’t need to repay it.

*Subject to T&Cs

How to apply for funding

To apply for funding through Solent Enterprise, you’ll take part in a programme designed to help you develop your business or freelance idea and prepare a strong application.

What’s involved?

1. Attend two workshops
You’ll start with two practical workshops covering the essentials of developing and running a business or freelance career.

2. Develop your business plan and finances
You’ll then have around 9 to12 weeks to develop your business idea and prepare your business plan and cash flow forecast, with access to one-to-one appointments with our independent business adviser to support you along the way.

3. Apply for funding
We’ll then invite applications for funding. To apply, you must submit a completed business plan and cash flow forecast.

4. Application review
We’ll review all applications and assess the viability of each business or freelance idea.

5. Pitch for funding
Selected applicants with viable business ideas will be invited to pitch to our funding panel in person.

An invitation to pitch is not guaranteed and funding is subject to eligibility, successful completion of the application process and the panel’s decision.

2026/27 programme dates

We’ll run two Solent Enterprise funding cohorts during the 2026/27 academic year.

Cohort 1
Workshop 1: Wednesday 7 October 2026
Workshop 2: Wednesday 14 October 2026
Pitch date: Wednesday 20 January 2027

Cohort 2
Workshop 1: Wednesday 3 March 2027
Workshop 2: Wednesday 10 March 2027
Pitch date: Wednesday 23 June 2027

Interested in taking part?

If you’re not sure whether your business or freelance idea is right for the programme, contact enterprise@solent.ac.uk for an informal chat.

To apply for funding, you must be a current Southampton Solent student studying as an undergraduate or postgraduate, or alumni who graduated less than one year ago.
Only students that are legally allowed to start their own business in the UK are eligible for funding.
International students on a Student Visa are not permitted to engage in business activity in the UK whilst they are studying and are therefore not eligible for funding. Please visit the government website for further guidance on what you legally can and cannot do when studying on a Student Visa:  www.gov.uk/student-visa
Students can apply individually, as a partnership, or as a group. For partnerships or groups, only one grant will be awarded. Please submit one application and choose a lead applicant.
Students who have previously received funding, are not eligible for future funding from the Solent Start-Ups Accelerator.

Students must have a genuine, credible business/social enterprise idea that they are committed to advancing.
Southampton Solent University does not expect any equity in return for awarding this funding.
The judging panel’s decision is final and there is no right to appeal their decision.
Students have a personal responsibility to ensure that their business operations adhere to all relevant legislation and regulation in the UK and any other countries within which it operates.
Students have a personal responsibility to ensure that their business operations are in line with the values of the University.
Students who have previously received funding, are not eligible for future funding from the Solent Start-Ups Accelerator.
Successful students will be expected to support and contribute to student start-up events at Southampton Solent University, sharing the challenges and successes of their business experiences, to aid in the development of other students.
Southampton Solent University will monitor the impact of the funds it has awarded, during the course of which you will be required to share relevant information with Solent University.
Successful applicants are expected to announce the funding award for your business idea on your social media platforms, referencing Solent University using the relevant tags: #wearesolent | #southamptonsolentuniversity

Funding your business or freelance career

Funding to grow your business idea or freelance career

How to apply for funding

What’s involved?

2026/27 programme dates

Interested in taking part?

Eligibility

Terms and conditions

Funding your business or freelance career

Funding to grow your business idea or freelance career

How to apply for funding

What’s involved?

2026/27 programme dates

Interested in taking part?

Eligibility

Terms and conditions