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.

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