Why Youth Grants Deliver Exceptional Outcomes

Higher approval rates: 68% vs 41% for general business grants

Wraparound support: Mentoring, training, and peer networks included

No credit requirements: Character and potential valued over history

Growth trajectory: Young businesses grow 3.2x faster with grant support

Innovation focus: 78% of youth grants fund tech or social innovation

Major Youth Enterprise Grants

The Prince's Trust Enterprise Programme

Total Fund: £35M annually

Grant Amount: Up to £5,000

Low-interest loans: Additional £5,000 available

Age Range: 18-30 years old

Success Rate: 71% still trading after 3 years

Package Includes:

4-day enterprise training course
Dedicated mentor for 2 years
Free legal and accounting advice
Networking events and peer support
Office space discounts (up to 50%)

Fast Track Sectors:

Green businesses: Extra £1,000 available
Social enterprises: 75% grant rate
Tech startups: Accelerator access
Creative industries: Equipment funding

Insider Tip: Don't be put off by the £5k limit. 82% of recipients report the mentoring and network access generated £50k+ in value through introductions, partnerships, and avoided mistakes.

Young Innovators Awards

Total Fund: £28M from Innovate UK

Grant Amount: Up to £30,000

Age Range: 18-30 years old

No Match Funding Required: 100% grant

Selection Criteria:

Game-changing innovation potential
Social or environmental impact
Scalable business model
Coachable founder attitude

Additional Benefits:

12-month accelerator program
Access to R&D facilities
IP and patent support worth £10k
Investor introductions
International trade missions

Success Strategy: Focus your application on solving a problem you've personally experienced. Winners report that authentic personal stories score 40% higher than purely commercial pitches.

Shell LiveWIRE Programme

Annual Fund: £15M

Top Award: £25,000

Regional Awards: £10,000

Age Range: 16-30 years old

Focus Areas:

Smarter mobility solutions
Cleaner energy innovations
Circular economy businesses
Digital transformation ideas

Unique Features:

No business trading requirement
Ideas stage applications welcome
Shell supply chain opportunities
Global network access

Hidden Benefit: Shell often becomes a customer of winners. Previous recipients secured contracts worth £100k-£2M with Shell or partners.

University & Graduate Funding

Student Enterprise Fund

Fund Size: £12M

Grants: £500 - £5,000

Eligibility: Current students

Benefits:

Study while building business
University resources access
Academic mentor support
Incubator space on campus

Can defer studies for business growth

Graduate Entrepreneur Visa

Funding: £8M support

Grant: Up to £15,000

Plus: 2-year UK visa

Requirements:

Recent UK graduate
University endorsement
Innovative business idea
Growth potential proof

Path to Innovator Visa after 2 years

Santander Universities

Annual Fund: £10M

Awards: £1k - £10k

Accelerator: 12 weeks

Includes:

£5k equity-free funding
Masterclasses and workshops
1-to-1 coaching
Demo day with investors

60+ participating UK universities

Young Enterprise

Programme Fund: £6M

Grants: £250 - £2,500

Age: 15-25 years

Programmes:

Company Programme (schools)
Start-Up Programme (16-25)
Tenner Challenge
Fiver Challenge

250,000 young people supported annually

Specialized Youth Funding Streams

Social Impact Youth Grants

UnLtd Awards

• Do It Awards: £500 - £5k
• Grow It Awards: £5k - £15k
• Age range: 16-30
• 12-month support package
• 85% survival rate after 3 years

Youth Music NextGen

• Fund size: £4M
• Grants: £5k - £30k
• Music industry focus
• Equipment and studio time
• Industry mentorship

Sport England Young People

• Community sport: £3M
• Grants: £1k - £10k
• Sports tech innovation
• Coaching qualifications
• Equipment funding

BBC Children in Need

• Youth services: £5M
• Grants: £10k - £40k
• Disadvantaged youth focus
• 3-year funding available
• Impact measurement support

Regional Youth Enterprise Support

City-Specific Youth Programmes

London

• Mayor's Young Entrepreneurs: £8M
• Grants up to £20k
• Focus on diversity and inclusion

Manchester

• Greater Manchester Youth Fund: £4M
• Digital and creative focus
• MediaCity UK partnerships

Birmingham

• West Midlands Young Innovators: £3M
• Manufacturing and tech
• Links to Commonwealth Games legacy

Scotland

• Young Enterprise Scotland: £5M
• Bridge 2 Business programme
• Rural youth priority

Application Strategies for Young Entrepreneurs

Leveraging Your Youth Advantage

Emphasize digital native skills and fresh perspective
Show understanding of Gen Z/millennial markets
Highlight sustainability and social impact (78% of youth businesses)
Demonstrate coachability and growth mindset
Include testimonials from teachers/mentors

Overcoming Age Bias

Create advisory board with experienced professionals
Show traction: users, revenue, or partnerships
Document everything professionally
Get media coverage to build credibility
Join young entrepreneur networks for validation

Sequential Funding Strategy

Age 16-18: Young Enterprise for first experience
Age 18-21: Prince's Trust for startup capital
Age 21-25: Innovate UK for scaling
Age 25-30: Transition to mainstream funding
Throughout: Layer with sector-specific grants

Success Story: From Bedroom to £1M Business

Josh, 19, built a sustainable fashion marketplace using youth grants:

• Age 17: Young Enterprise £500 (proof of concept)
• Age 18: Prince's Trust £5,000 (website development)
• Age 19: Shell LiveWIRE £10,000 (inventory and marketing)
• Age 20: Young Innovators £30,000 (team and tech platform)
• Age 21: Secured £500k VC investment

Key insight: "Each grant taught me something new. The money was important, but the mentoring and confidence building were transformational. I went from shy teenager to pitching at 10 Downing Street."

Common Mistakes Young Entrepreneurs Make

Waiting to be "ready": Youth grants expect you to learn as you go. Apply even if you feel unprepared.
Ignoring the mentoring: 90% of value comes from support, not cash. Engage fully with all programs offered.
Going it alone: Build a team. Grants favor collaborative young entrepreneurs over solo founders.
Missing age deadlines: Many programs cut off at 25 or 30. Start early to maximize opportunities.

Take Action Today

Ready to Launch Your Youth Business?

Let Crafty help you access youth enterprise grants and showcase the innovation and energy that wins funding. Our AI understands what youth funders look for and can help you tell your story compellingly.

Youth Grant Calendar Q1 2025

31 January: Young Innovators Awards Round 8

14 February: Prince's Trust February intake

28 February: Shell LiveWIRE spring deadline

15 March: Student Enterprise Fund applications

31 March: Mayor's Entrepreneur Programme

Always Open: Prince's Trust (rolling basis)

University Specific: Check your institution's deadlines