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Funding your start-up

Funding to kickstart your business or freelance career

Have a great idea for a business or want to start freelancing, but short on funds to get started? Then join the Solent Start-Ups Accelerator and get the support and funding to make it happen! Current students and recent graduates (within the past year) could receive a grant* to kickstart your idea. Since it’s a grant, you won’t need to repay it - it’s all yours.

*Subject to T&Cs

How to apply for funding

To apply for start-up funding, you'll need to take part in our Solent Start-Ups Accelerator. 

On the Solent Start-Ups Accelerator, you’ll join workshops where you’ll learn how to build a business plan, manage your cash flow, market your idea, and pitch with confidence. Plus, you’ll get one-to-one guidance from experienced business experts to help turn your idea into reality.

Register your interest for Solent Start-Ups Accelerator here

The Solent Start-Ups Accelerator will run twice in the 2025/26 academic year.

Next intakes: October 2025 and February 2026.

Contact us at startups@solent.ac.uk for more details.