Flash Fund
The Flash Fund is here to help you take the first steps on your enterprise journey. Every journey begins with a single step.
About the flash fund
Applications are currently closed but will reopen again in Semester 2. If you you were successful in your application for the Winter 2023 Flash Fund, funds will be in your account by 11 December 2023.
What is the flash fund?
Do you have a great idea you need some funding to get started? Have you started a side hustle, but you need a bit of cash to take it to the next level? Want to start freelancing but a financial hurdle is in your way? Tell us about it.
Pots of funding of up to £250 are available to support you in exploring and testing your idea, product or service.
The fund is here to empower you to go and do what you love. You may choose to use the fund for:
- prototyping
- material costs
- market research
- equipment (restrictions apply, see below)
- travel costs
- test trading costs
- training
Applications open for a short window each semester. Join the enterprise community to hear when applications are open.
Application criteria
- The fund is to be used to develop or progress an idea be that a side hustle, start-up, social enterprise or freelancing.
- Open to all students and 2023 graduates
- Applications can be made for funds between £10 to £250
- The maximum award is given per enterprise or idea. If you are collaborating with others, only one application is required.
- Must be used to address a specific hurdle in progressing the idea or enterprise
- If you have previously applied and not received funding you are welcome to apply again
- Successful applicants are required to submit a case study within three months of receiving funds and meet with the Student and Graduate Enterprise team
- All funding will be allocated at the absolute discretion of the University and will be reviewed in accordance with current and future policies of the University. Applications should be made for projects that are considered most consistent with the University’s mission, vision and values.
Restrictions on applications
- Funds must not be used to support specific curriculum-based course activity
- Funding cannot be used for the purchase of laptops, iPads and general IT equipment
- If you have already received funding in this academic year, you are not eligible for additional funding.
Our Flash Fund winners
Our prize winners
A lot of the time, lack of funding is what stops people from going into business. This fund gives an incentive for people to actually go ahead and put out into the world the millions of ideas we think of.
I applied for the flash fund because, as a student, I am always budgeting and trying to make ends meet on any purchases I make. The money that I received enabled me to begin my freelancing business into the world of design.
I would 100% recommend others to apply for the Flash Fund, it was a very easy process and has awarded us the ability to push our business forward in unforeseen times.
I have used the flash fund to purchase interesting and unique trims and decorative elements for my designs which I otherwise wouldn't have had access to.
It is a great start up help to encourage students and final years like myself who are a single parent to be able to have motivation to start their business as this is my end goal when leaving university to create a makeup brand.