SWEF Start-up Grants
Funding
Contact funder
Location
Scotland
Applications
Rolling (always open)
SWEF Start-Up grants give up to £500 to help new businesses get started. You can apply if you are setting up a business or your business earns less than £500 per month. The money can pay for equipment, materials, stock, website creation, product development, or training. This is for people in the early stages of starting their business. The grant helps cover essential start-up costs. Applications appear to be accepted on a rolling basis. You must be based in Scotland to apply.
Who can apply:
Key requirements:
- Business must earn less than £500 per month
- Must be in early stages of business setup
This grant is for individuals starting a new business in Scotland. You can apply if your business is very new or currently earns less than £500 per month. It is designed for people in the early stages of setting up their business.
Regions
Foundation Scotland distributes funds on behalf of other funders and donors. These figures cover awards across all funds they administer.
Awards published
8,598
Typical award
£1,500
Most awards
£500 to £5,000
Most funded region
Scotland
3,547 awards in 2025, up from 2,326 the year before.
Recent awards include Time To Heal (£5,000, 2025), Glenrothes & District Foodbank Community Project (£4,700, 2025) and Heathhall Community Council (£4,000, 2025).
This funder has made 8,598 awards with a typical award of £1,500. Would you qualify?
See if you'd qualifyContains data from 360Giving publishers, used under open licence.
Full details from Foundation Scotland
SWEF Start-Up grants are for individuals who are in the early stages of setting up their business, or whose business is currently earning less than £500 per month. This grant provides up to £500 to help get things off the ground. The funding can support essential start-up costs such as equipment, materials, stock, website creation, product development, or training.
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Create free accountLast updated: 18 August 2026