Getting funding for your business can be difficult for any business owner. But did you know that, according to recent data from NatWest, women receive less than one per cent of venture capital?
Starting or growing a business relies on funding – and for many women entrepreneurs in the UK, grants can provide vital support without the burden of repayment.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the most relevant small business grants for women, as well as additional funding options and tips on how to apply successfully.
Plus tips from three women entrepreneurs who secured £25,000 business grants for their small businesses.
7 business grants for women entrepreneurs
Many of the grants for female entrepreneurs we’ve included below don’t just include a cash prize – they also come with coaching and development opportunities, as well as a community of like minded women to network with.
| Grant name | Amount available | Eligibility | Application deadline |
| Female Founders Fund | Usually between $500K – $750K | Women-led startups | Varies |
| Women in Innovation Award | £75,000 | Innovative women-led startups | TBC |
| Fund Her North | Varies | Women business owners in the North of England | Ongoing |
| The King’s Trust Enterprise | Varies | UK business owners between 18 and 30 | Ongoing |
| Hatch Enterprise | Varies | UK business owners | Ongoing |
| Business Boost | £25,000 | UK small business owners | TBC |
| Young Entrepreneur Fund | £5,000 | UK business owners between 18 and 30 | 9 October 2025 |
1. Female Founders Fund
The Female Founders Fund was created in 2014 in order to invest in female talent across a range of industries. Open to worldwide applicants, the fund has a wide portfolio of women-owned businesses across a range of sectors.
- Who can apply: Women-led startups
- Deadline: Varies, so check the official site
- Investment: Usually between $500K – $750K – plus access to a strong female leadership network
- Note: This is a competitive fund with limited placements
Mo’s tip: don’t put off entering – someone has to win
“I give this advice to people all the time: just enter – because someone has to win and it might be you.
“Both Allegra, my business partner and I, said that we should apply. It went on for weeks and we didn’t do anything about it. And the night before the deadline, both of us entered.
“It was one of the turning points for the business because, before that, we were still doing other work to keep the bills paid. Winning this grant was when we said we’ve got to go all in.”
Mo
Co-founder of Watch this Sp_ce, winner of a £25,000 business grant
2. Women in Innovation Award
Run by the UK government, the Women in Innovation Award is a grant for women-led businesses that are solving a problem – whether that be societal, economic, or environmental.
- Who can apply: Women-led startups
- Deadline: Next year’s date TBC
- Investment: £75,000 grant
- Note: Only 50 winners every year
3. Fund Her North
Fund Her North is a network in the North of England focused on early-stage through to growth and exit-focused equity investment.
- Who can apply: Women business owners
- Deadline: Ongoing
- Investment: Varies, business dependent
- Note: Limited to businesses in the North of England
4. The King’s Trust Enterprise
The King’s Trust’s Enterprise programme offers various opportunities for funding, as well as access to workshops and one-on-one support for business owners.
- Who can apply: Business owners between 18 and 30
- Deadline: Ongoing
- Investment: Varies
- Note: For business owners who own, or plan to own, at least 50 per cent of their business and have been actively trading for less than one year
5. Hatch Enterprise
Hatch Enterprise gives business owners the chance to learn from industry experts and peer mentors, plus access to one-on-one support. While not specifically designed for women, many of their programmes are reserves for women or other marginalised genders.
There are three different options based on where you currently are in your business journey.
After graduating from the Enterprise programme, you’re able to apply for a Hatch Fund grant. Hatch Enterprise states that most of their programmes ‘offer graduates the opportunity to apply for a business grant through a competitive process’.
- Who can apply: UK business owners – with programmes reserved for women and other marginalised genders
- Deadline: Ongoing
- Investment: Varies
6. Business Boost
While not specifically for female entrepreneurs, four out of five winners of Simply Business’s Business Boost competition have been female entrepreneurs! Could you be next?
- Who can apply: UK small business owners
- Deadline: TBD – sign up to be the first to know
- Investment: £25,000
- Note: Just one winner available each year
7. Young Entrepreneur Fund
Business owners aged between 18 and 30 can apply for the Young Entrepreneur Fund to win one of 10 cash grants – plus access to tailored business support to help them grow.
- Who can apply: UK small business owners aged 18-30
- Deadline: Midnight 9 October 2025
- Investment: £5,000
- Note: 10 grants of £5,000 each available
Claire’s tip: you need an amazing grant application
“It was a bit of a sad evening when I applied for the grant. I felt a bit hopeless and sad. But the next morning, I had a little voice tell me that I needed to do the application better for a chance to get this money. So I did.
“You just have to believe in your venture and in your project. You have to explain it with your heart.”
Claire
Founder of Fair-Well, winner of a £25,000 business grant
Women in business awards
Another way you can get a cash boost to your business is through winning an award with an accompanying cash prize. There are plenty of women in business awards you can enter but before you do, it’s important you know how to write a winning award entry.
Here’s a rundown of some awards designed especially for women in business.
Cartier Women’s Initiative
The Cartier Women’s Initiative is an international programme focusing on empowering female entrepreneurs. It runs awards each year, usually based on the following categories:
- Regional Awards (if applying for this award, UK businesses should apply for the European region)
- Impact Awards
- Science & Technology Pioneer Award
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Award
Specific entry criteria will differ depending on the award you’re applying for, as will the amount you could win, so spend some time making sure you’ve chosen the right category for your business.
AnitaB.org
AnitaB.org is a social enterprise for women and non-binary people working in technical fields. They offer a range of awards and grants but one popular award is their Pass it On Award, which focuses on advancing women in computing.
The last Pass it on Award gave the ten winners $1,000 each.
Another option from AnitaB.org is the Abie Awards, which focuses on distinguished leaders in the technology field. The award categories for the Abie Awards tend to change each year, as do their cash prizes, so keep an eye out for when a relevant category for your business is announced.
Other funding opportunities for women
If you don’t qualify for the grants above, consider:
- government-backed Start Up Loans: up to £25,000 with mentoring support
- community development finance institutions (CDFIs): focus on underrepresented entrepreneurs
- bank and corporate competitions: some banks run annual funding initiatives
- equity crowdfunding: platforms like Crowdcube or Seedrs support female-led startups
- women in business events: networking events can help you find like-minded people looking for investment opportunities – try groups such as the Women in Business Community Group
Sarah’s tip: what’s the worst that can happen?
“What’s the worst that could happen? You submit an application and you go through? So I did it – very close to the deadline – and got the email saying I’d been shortlisted.
“Winning was a game changer, because for a small business, that’s a huge amount of money and you can do anything with it.”
Sarah
Founder of Y.O.U Underwear, winner of a £25,000 business grant
How to improve your chances of success
- Tailor each application – align your pitch to the grant’s objectives
- Show measurable impact – include how your business will create jobs, support communities, or drive innovation
- Gather strong references – letters from mentors or business advisers strengthen credibility
- Prepare financial documents – up-to-date cash flow forecasts and business plans are essential
- Apply early – funding is competitive and often allocated on a rolling basis
Key takeaways
- Women entrepreneurs in the UK have access to targeted national, regional, and private grants in 2025
- Adding alternative funding sources (like Start Up Loans or equity funding) broaden your options
- A strong, tailored application significantly improves success rates
FAQs about business grants for women
Do I have to repay business grants?
Most grants don’t need to be repaid, unlike loans. However, some come with conditions such as reporting requirements.
Can I apply for more than one grant?
Yes, you can apply for multiple grants, but check terms to ensure funding can be combined.
What’s the difference between a grant and a loan?
Grants are non-repayable funds, while loans must be repaid (often with interest).
Are there grants specifically for minority women entrepreneurs?
Some regional and private schemes prioritise diversity – check with your local councils or business support network for opportunities.
More guides on financing your small business
- Small business funding and investment: how to grow your business
- Crowdfunding: is it right for your small business?
- How to write a business proposal: template and tips from a business owner
- Is business insurance a legal requirement?
Ready to set up your cover?
As one of the UK’s biggest business insurance providers, we specialise in public liability insurance and protect more trades than anybody else. Why not take a look now and build a quick, tailored quote?