Financial support and funding for start-ups and business ideas
A range of funding opportunities to help you get your idea off the ground or take it to the next level, from pitching competitions to start-up scholarships.
Summer enterprise scholarships
Do you have a great idea that could change the world?
Would you like the opportunity to engage the public in your research or on a topic that’s important to you?
Our summer enterprise scholarships allow you to do just that. Divided into two strands – the Start-up Scholarship and the Impact and Innovation Scholarship – you can use your summer to transform a business idea into reality. You’ll receive £1,000 alongside mentoring to help bring your ideas to life, and access to a city centre retail unit to test trade and engage with the public.
"Being involved in the scholarship programme has been amazing. Totally life changing. I was well out of my comfort zone with almost 100% of it, but it’s been wonderful to feel so supported and nurtured."
UWE Bristol student Start-up Scholarship
Dragons' Den
We hold an annual Dragons' Den-style pitching event, in partnership with Santander Universities, to support the growth of existing student businesses or social enterprise. Up to ten of the best ideas are chosen to be pitched in front of a panel of judges, with the chance of winning up to £5,000.
Pitch-A-Thon
You could win up to £500 through Pitch-A-Thon, our live pitching competition where you can present any idea, business or improvement of an existing concept in front of your peers and a panel of judges. To find out more please contact Enterprise@uwe.ac.uk.
'Try It' and 'Launch It' Awards
Get financial support for a new business through the ‘Try It Awards', sponsored by Santander Universities. Open to all UWE Bristol students. To find out more please contact enterprise@uwe.ac.uk.
External funding
Our team are also able to help signpost you towards external funding opportunities. Submit a question through My Questions in InfoHub (login required) to find out more.
You may also be interested in
Funding and scholarships
Funding and scholarships information for new students, including advice on undergraduate and postgraduate funding and financial support from UWE Bristol.
Advice and business support
Online resources, business advice clinics, an entrepreneurs support programme and a team of enterprise advisers.
Innovation and enterprise calendar
Our jam-packed calendar will keep you busy throughout the year. Take part in everything from an annual Dragons' Den style pitching competition to our Enterprise Festival and Pitch-athon, a live pitching competition, where you could bag £500.
Student Ventures
Got a great business idea? We’ll help you get it off the ground. With physical space, business support and funding available – we’ll be on hand to help you at every stage of your entrepreneurial journey.