SWEF Enterprise Fund Business Grant
- Funding
- Up to £2,000
- Deadline
- Check with the funder
- Location
- Northern Ireland
- Applications
- Rolling applications
Overview
Community Foundation NI, working with SWEF Enterprise Fund, gives young business owners in Northern Ireland up to £2,000 through the SWEF Enterprise Fund Business Grant. Applicants must be aged 18 to 30 and live in Northern Ireland. The business must turn over more than £500 per month and have been trading for less than 2 years. There is no deadline, so applications are open all year. The funder says the fund helps young people develop their business idea and gain support with business investment they could not otherwise afford. The funder's website does not list example projects or costs for this grant. Ownership is the key rule. The application must come from the majority shareholder. A limited company needs you as majority owner, and a business partner over 30 may not hold more than 20%. You must also be from a low-income household or face other financial challenges that stop you developing your business. Pre-revenue businesses, or those under £500 a month, should look at the separate Start-Up Grant of up to £500.
Requirements to check
Key requirements:
- You must be aged 18 to 30.
- You must live in Northern Ireland.
- Your business must turn over more than £500 per month and have been trading for less than 2 years.
- The application must come from the majority shareholder; for a limited company you must be the majority owner.
- A business partner over the age of 30 may not hold more than 20% of the business.
- You must be from a low-income household or facing other financial challenges preventing you from developing your business.
Who it is for
- People aged 18 to 30 who live in Northern Ireland
- Businesses turning over more than £500 per month
- Businesses trading for less than 2 years
- Majority shareholders making the application
- Majority owners of limited companies
- People from a low-income household or facing other financial challenges preventing business development
Who it is not for
- Pre-revenue businesses or those turning over less than £500 per month (Start-Up Grant instead)
- Businesses where a partner over 30 holds more than 20%
- Applicants who are not the majority shareholder
- People aged under 18 or over 30
- Businesses trading for 2 years or more
You can apply if you are aged 18 to 30 and live in Northern Ireland. Your business must turn over more than £500 per month and have been trading for less than 2 years. The application must come from the majority shareholder. If the business is a limited company, you must be its majority owner, and a business partner over the age of 30 may not hold more than 20%. You must also be from a low-income household or facing other financial challenges that prevent you from developing your business.
This summary may not include every exclusion. Check the full eligibility rules, including who and what the funder will not support.
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Start freeWho is this for?
Young business owners aged 18 to 30 in Northern Ireland whose business has traded for less than 2 years, turns over more than £500 a month, and who face financial barriers to growing it.
Regions
No published award history for Community Foundation Northern Ireland / SWEF Enterprise Fund. Some funders do not publish their grants data.
Full details from Community Foundation Northern Ireland / SWEF Enterprise Fund
Delivered in partnership with SWEF Enterprise Fund, this grant supports young people in Northern Ireland aged 18-30 who are running early-stage businesses turning over more than £500 per month and trading for less than 2 years. Applicants must be majority shareholders and from a low-income household or facing financial challenges preventing business development. Grants are awarded up to £2,000.
How to apply
The fund has no deadline, so you can apply at any time. Use the Find out more link on the Community Foundation NI listing for details. If you have already started an application, continue using the link emailed to you when you registered. The Grants Team can support you with your application by email at applications@communityfoundationni.org or by phone on 028 9024 5927.
Frequently asked questions
How much can I get from the SWEF Enterprise Fund Business Grant?
Business grants are awarded up to £2,000. The funder's website gives no minimum.
When is the SWEF Enterprise Fund Business Grant deadline?
There is no deadline. The funder lists the grant as ongoing, so you can apply at any time.
Can I apply to the SWEF Enterprise Fund Business Grant if a partner over 30 owns part of my company?
Yes, but only if they hold no more than 20%. If a limited company, you must be the majority owner.
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Create free accountLast updated: 9 November 2026